In the January of 2019, young India cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya stirred massive controversy after their misogynist and racists comments on a popular TV show, ‘Koffee With Karan’.
As the controversy gained momentum Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul faced the heat from every nook and corner. Several former greats including the likes of Sunil Gavaskar slammed the duo. To add to their misery Tam India captain Virat Kohli said that those were individuals behaviours and comments and the team does not relate to it.
The next thing which unfolded was that both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya were suspended and called from the Australia tour. Later, they were asked to donate a sum of Rs 1 lakh to each to the widows of 10 constables in para-military forces who have lost their lives while on duty through, additionally they were directed to deposit a sum of Rs 10 lakh in a fund created by the Cricket Association for the blind.
India’s World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh reflected on the whole saga while talking to India opener Rohit Sharma on Tuesday.
Yuvraj Singh questioned the team culture and atmosphere developed by the “third generation” of cricketers.
“What happened with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, we could not even think of it because we have so much of respect for our seniors. We knew that our seniors would tell us not do such things.”
“These boys do what they want to, after a little success, actually it’s not their fault also as IPL contracts give them so much of money even without playing for India. They get distracted and just don’t know how to handle that money.”
The former southpaw also opined that the team culture has changed and youngsters are crossing that thin line of respect for their seniors. Yuvraj blamed the social media and “party scenes’ as the reason for such incidences.
“You need seniors and coaches, you should explain to them and ask what is important, playing for India and working hard on the field. Sachin Tendulkar told me to keep performing and everything will follow,” Yuvraj told Rohit Sharma.
