Indian all-rounder Handik Pandya has met the Ombudsman regarding his controversial comments, which he made while appearing on a talk show ‘Koffee with Karan’. Pandya deposed before the Justice (Retd) DK Jain in Mumbai while Indian opener KL Rahul is yet to meet him. Though, he was expected to depose before ombudsman on Wednesday morning.
While Rahul has been playing with Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League, Pandya is a member of Mumbai Indians. Both teams will play against each other on Wednesday night at Wankhede Stadium.
Also Read: KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to depose before Ombudsman in Koffee controversy
Meanwhile, a top BCCI official told IANS that the ombudsman is expected to give his final verdict of Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) before the national selectors sit to select the Indian team for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which will be played in England and Wales from May 30.
“While there is no timeline as such, but we are hopeful the ombudsman will submit his report on the duo before M.S.K Prasad and his team sits for the selection meeting in Mumbai on Monday. Nobody can read the mind of another individual, but the punishment cannot be bigger than the crime. Let’s see what the ombudsman’s report says about the two,” the functionary said.
Pandya has already sent his apology to the board, where he wrote: “I made an appearance on the chat show where I have made certain statements without realising that these could be disrespectful and offend sensitivities of viewers for which I am sincerely regretful. I would like to assure you that there was no malice or any sort of ill-intent on my part to offend anyone or portray any section of the society in bad light. I made these statements in the flow of the show and had not comprehended the extent to which my statements would be found offensive.”
Also Read: DK Jain becomes BCCI Ombudsman
KL Rahul also did the same and wrote an apology to BCCI, which reads, “At the outset, I extend my unconditional heartfelt apology for this extremely unfortunate incident. I’m extremely ashamed and embarrassed since this has caused such disgrace and embarrassment to both, the BCCI and sport of cricket. I assure you that, I shall, in the future, act more responsibly and shall ensure that my actions befit my stature as cricketer and a public personality representing India and the BCCI, across the globe.”
Both players were removed from the team after their controversial appearance on ‘Koffee with Karan’, where they made some misogynist comments.
