Virat Kohli Reacts On Row Over Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul's TV Show Comments

Team India skipper Virat Kohli broke his silence on the ongoing controversy involving Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, who made sexist comments on a TV talk show. Reacting to the comments made by the duo, Kohli said that Indian team doesn't align with the views and those were the opinions of the players. "We as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers don't align with those views, those were individual opinions. We are still waiting for a decision to be made," Kohli said at the press conference ahead of the first ODI against Australia in Sydney on Friday.

"From the Indian cricket team's point of view, this changes nothing in our beliefs in the change room, it does nothing to the spirit we have have been able to create. Combinations will have to be thought of once the decision comes out," Kohli added.

Kohli added that the two players "have understood the magnitude of what's happened".

"Definitely it has to hit hard, they will definitely understand the things that have not gone right," Kohli said.

According to news agency PTI, Pandya and KL Rahul on Friday were suspended pending an inquiry into their outrage-evoking comments.

"Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry," Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai said.

Hardik Pandya's sexist comments sparked social media outrage and prompted the player to apologise.

Pandya said he "got a bit carried away" as he explained his bragging about his prowess with women on the show that aired Sunday.

Pandya and KL Rahul are currently on India's tour of Australia.

On Thursday, COA chairman Vinod Rai recommended a two-match ban for the duo but a decision on them will be announced today.

The recommendation came a day after the 25-year-old Pandya posted his apology on social media.

"After reflecting on my comments on Koffee with Karan, I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way," Pandya said on Twitter.

"Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone's sentiments. Respect," he added.

Pandya, who was in the squad that beat Australia for the first time in an away Test series, boasted about his success with multiple women.

"You are just watching and observing how they move as I said I am a little from the black side (influenced by West Indies culture) so I have to see how they (women) move first," he said.

Pandya also said he had bragged to his parents after losing his virginity.

He was quickly slammed for his views on women.

Later on Thursday, BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry called for an inquiry to find out whether or not the two sought permission from the BCCI to appear on the show, and if yes, Chaudhry wants to know who gave him the permission.

"The provisions of the earlier contracts and the practice in place would have required these contracted players to seek permission to appear on the show. Was such a permission sought? Was such a permission granted? If so, by whom?" he asked.

Pandya and Rahul also caused a social media stir for comments on the same show when they said current India skipper Virat Kohli was a better batsman than the country's cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.

(With AFP Inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team Australia Cricket Team Hardik Pandya Lokesh Rahul Virat Kohli Australia vs India 2018/19 Cricket