Domestic bliss, international miss
Hmark.geenty@stuff.co.nz Twenty20 Super Smash weekend matches: Men: Today: Firebirds v Knights at Basin Reserve, Wellington, 4.10pm. Tomorrow: Kings v Stags at Hagley Oval, Christchurch; Volts v Aces at University Oval, Dunedin (both 4pm). Standings: Knights 16 points (5 matches), Firebirds 10 (5), Stags 10 (5), Volts 10 (5), Aces 6 (4), Kings 4 (4). Women: Tomorrow: Magicians v Hinds at Hagley Oval; Sparks v Hearts at University Oval (both 12.45pm). Standings: Blaze 28 (10), Hearts 24 (9), Magicians 22 (9), Spirit 18 (10), Sparks 16 (9), Hinds 4 (9). Indian one-day cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul are engulfed in a sexism storm that could see them suspended for matches on the tour of Australia and New Zealand.
The pair are in hot water for ‘‘very crass’’ comments made on an an Indian TV talk show.
Both are due to be involved in the five-match ODI series against the Black Caps starting on January 23 but Cricinfo reports they are likely to suspended for two matches.
The players have apologised after their remarks drew outrage at home.
‘‘I have seen the remarks made by these two players on the show in print today. Very crass. No apology can cover it,’’ Indian cricket board member Vinod Rai reportedly wrote in correspondence accessed by Cricinfo, suggesting a two-match ban.
BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry is reportedly seeking a stronger penalty should the players be found guilty after they were issued show-cause notices following their June 6 appearance on Koffee With Karan.
The show is hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar who asked the cricket stars several questions about their personal lives and relationships.
Pandya said he felt West Indian in spirit and was asked how he approached women in night clubs.
‘‘I like to watch and observe how they move. I’m little from the black side so I need to see how they move,’’ he said.
In another anecdote Pandya said: ‘‘The other day there was a party. My parents are sitting there and [referring to the female guests] they’re like ‘‘which one is yours?’’ and I sat with them and said ‘this, this this, everyone’s got something with me’.’’
Pandya apparently emailed an apology to the BCCI and also made a general apology on his Instagram feed.