The Committee of Administrators (CoA) have lifted ban on Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul with immediate effect. This means that the duo are now available and eligible to be selected for the Indian team.
Pandya mostly likely will fly to New Zealand ahead of the 3rd ODI on the 28th of January at Mount Maunganui.
And KL Rahul could be included to the playing eleven for India ‘A’ squad in a one day match series against England Lions in Thiruvananthapuram.
The duo were suspended following their remarks against women on the talk show ‘Koffee With Karan’. They were banned for two games, and were called back home from Australia.
The two member Committee of Administrators comprising of Chairman Vinod Rai and former India women’s captain Diana Edulji issued a statement-
“The Committee of Administrators (“CoA”) had, by emails dated 11.01.2019, and in exercise of Rule 41(6) of the Constitution of BCCI, suspended Mr. Hardik Pandya and Mr. K.L. Rahul in view of the allegations of misconduct against them, pending adjudication of the allegations under Rule 46 of the approved BCCI Constitution.
Since the adjudication of all allegations of misconduct against any cricketer registered with, inter alia, the BCCI is required to be undertaken by the BCCI Ombudsman, whose appointment is pending directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the CoA is the of the view that the interim suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 should be presently lifted with immediate effect.
The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, Mr. P.S. Narasimha. In view of the above, the suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 is immediately lifted pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman.”