New Delhi | Jagran Sports Desk: After getting receiving a backlash over his comments on the ‘Koffee with Karan’, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has finally spilled beams on the infamous controversy that led to his suspension from the tea.
In an interview at India Today’s ‘Inspiration’, the 26-year-old finally opened about the incident and said that “the ball was not in his court” and things were particularly not in his control in the interview.
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“We as cricketers did not know what was going to happen. The ball was not in my court, it was in someone else's court where they had to take the shot and that's a very vulnerable place, you don't want to be (in it),” Pandya said.
Pandya, along with fellow opener KL Rahul, received a backlash from fans for their statements in the show. Skipper Virat Kohli was too critical about their comments at the show.
The two had too face sanctions over their comments and were suspended from the team. The duo were also fined Rs 20 lakh each by the BCCI. They were also directed by the Ombudsman DK Jain to pay Rs 1 lakh each to the widows of 10 constables in paramilitary forces who had lost their lives on duty.
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They were also asked to deposit Rs 10 lakh each in the fund created for the promotion of cricket for blind in the country.
They, however, returned to the side later and apologised to the inquiry committee of the BCCI.
KL Rahul, presently, in the T20 squad for the Sri Lankan series while Pandya is recovering from a back injury. The 26-year-old all-rounder has not played for the team since September 2019. He is expected to be back next month after being named in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
In the interview, Pandya also spoke about Mahendra Singh Dhoni and downplayed comparisons with the veteran wicket-keeper batsman.
“I'll never be able to fill MS' shoes, so I don't even think that way. I'm quite excited for the challenge to be honest. Whatever I do, it will be always for the team you know. It will be one step at the ladder and slowly-slowly that Cup will be there,” Pandya said.
Posted By: Aalok Sensharma
