The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday lifted the ban on suspended Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener KL Rahul.
Pandya has been cleared to join Team India in New Zealand where the Men-in-Blue are currently playing a five-match One Day International (ODI) series against the Blackcaps. KL Rahul, on the other hand, will join India A squad in Trivandrum which is playing England Lions.
Both the cricketers have been provisionally cleared by Committee of Administrators (CoA) pending adjudication by an Ombudsman.
Earlier on Wednesday, the CoA issued a statement which read: “The Committee of Administrators (“CoA”) had, by emails dated 11.01.2019, and in exercise of Rule 41(6) of the Constitution of BCCI, suspended Mr. Hardik Pandya and Mr. K.L. Rahul in view of the allegations of misconduct against them, pending adjudication of the allegations under Rule 46 of the approved BCCI Constitution.”
“Since the adjudication of all allegations of misconduct against any cricketer registered with, inter alia, the BCCI is required to be undertaken by the BCCI Ombudsman, whose appointment is pending directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the CoA is the of the view that the interim suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 should be presently lifted with immediate effect. The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, Mr P.S. Narasimha,” the statement further said.
“In view of the above, the suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 is immediately lifted pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman,” the statement said.
Earlier, after a massive outrage on social media over Pandya and Rahul’s “sexist”, “misogynist” and “racist” remark, the duo were suspended by the BCCI and was sent back home from Australia.