Pandya, Rahul say sorry; BCCI divided
As far as he (Dhoni) is concerned, he can bat anywhere from 1 to 10... What is more important is where he is asked to bat, he is doing that pretty well. B KUMAR, on MS Dhoni’s batting
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Suspended cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul tendered their apologies on Monday for their sexist comments made in a TV chat show in response to the fresh notice issued by the Indian cricket Board pending an inquiry. Chief of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (COA), Vinod Rai, has said BCCI should correct players, not end their careers.
Despite their apologies, 10 BCCI units demanded a Special General Meeting to appoint an ombudsman for carrying out an inquiry. COA member Diana Edulji wants the inquiry done by the COA and BCCI office-bearers. “Hardik and Rahul have submitted their reply to the fresh showcause notices that were served to them. They have tendered unconditional apology. The COA chief has instructed the CEO to conduct an inquiry as per clause 41 (c) of the new BCCI constitution,” a BCCI official told PTI.
With Pandya’s and Rahul’s immediate fate in the balance with the World Cup starting in May end, Rai, in an e-mail to Edulji, has said the “BCCI is not in the business of ending young careers. It is our responsibility to reprimand them, take corrective action, sensitise them of their misdemeanour and then get them back on to the ground once they have suffered the consequences,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khar Gymkhana has revoked the hon membership of Pandya. “We took the decision at our managing committee meeting this evening,” said Khar Gym general secretary Gaurav Kapadia.