It’s been nearly a couple of years since the flamboyant Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya almost witnesses a sudden downfall to his career after his controversial comments in chat show Koffee with Karan. The India all-rounder had an interview on the show with his teammate KL Rahul and regretted his decision soon. Some of his comments on the show were truly controversial.

Hardik was then termed as ‘misogynist’ and ‘sexist’ and had faced disciplinary action from the BCCI as well. He and Rahul were sent back home from the Australia tour in the wake of the controversy. Not only that, Hardik and Rahul were also fined ₹20 lakh each by the BCCI Ombudsman D.K. Jain for their sexist comments.

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The world might have forgotten the controversy but Hardik still remembers it was it happened yesterday. In a recent interview with the Times of India, talking about the same, Pandya said, “I really didn’t know what ‘misogynistic’ meant. At first, I laughed thinking it was some word being used to make fun of me. Then a friend said, it means “someone who strongly dislikes women.”

He further added, “How can I dislike women? Mom, didi (sister), bhabhi (sister-in-law), Natasa – they’re all women. I adore them. My home is all about women. We are because they are.”

Hardik further explained teh tough times he faced after the controversy. He revealed how he had locked himself up in a room after facing the backlash, but his family’s support helped him handle the situation and bounce back.

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Pandya elaborated, “For the first time, I wasn’t in control of my own life. Everything around me started to crumble. I had to lock myself up. If not for my family, I’d have lost a great deal of everything. They were and continue to remain the backbone – the women in my family.”