Both Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul made their cricket comeback since getting suspended for their ‘sexist and misogynistic’ comments on the chat show – Koffee With Karan. While Hardik made a sensational return to playing ways in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand, Rahul made a lukewarm comeback while playing for India A against England Lions. The suspension of both the star cricketers was lifted by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI ombudsman.
Now, former Indian skipper, Anil Kumble, has opined on the controversy that shook the cricketing world.
“Yeah I mean obviously it’s very disappointing to see what was spoken about & to hear what was said, I think, yes it was certainly very disappointing what happened, but I think these two players would have learned a lesson from all the things that happened around the talk show. They have been reprimanded and I am sure they will come back stronger. So that’s a positive that they will come back stronger, but I think the other major issue is about educating the players and then knowing you know what is it, what kind of… you need some education and need some training,” said Kumble.
“It’s like any other profession, so cricketers also need that especially off the field and yes these players seem always are going from one match to the other and they hardly get to understand the outside world and they seem most of the time in a bubble, so it’s important that they get the other perspective of the world and I think it’s important that they get these kind of support in terms of educating the players. I am sure the both of them will come stronger from this experience and you know they need to be a lot more focused,” he added.
When asked whether Hardik and Rahul should be handed further suspensions when the inquiry resumes following the appointment of an ombudsman, Kumble said both of them have been punished.
“No, I don’t think so, I think that’s been done, it’s important for them to be told and like I mentioned it needs to be a proper kind of a set up you know where you are training them with professionals coming in and telling them, and I think it’s important that they get on with the game and refocus on what they can achieve, as individuals, as players,” Kumble stated.
