Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul fined Rs 20 lakh each by BCCI for inappropriate remarks

India cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener KL Rahul have been fined Rs 20 lakh each by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their sexist remarks on popular TV chat show ‘Koffee with Karan’ on Saturday.

In the report published on the BCCI website, ombudsman D.K. Jain directed the players to pay Rs 1 lakh each to the widows of 10 constables in paramilitary forces who have lost their lives on duty. Pandya and Rahul have also been asked to deposit Rs 10 lakh each in the fund created for the promotion of cricket for blind in the country.

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“If the amounts are not paid/ deposited by the players within the time granted (four weeks), the BCCI may deduct the said amounts from the match fees payable to the players and make the requisite deposits,” the report, undersigned by ombudsman D.K. Jain, stated.

The ombudsman also wrote that cricketers are role models for the youth in this country where the sport itself is treated like a religion. So, the players should conduct themselves in the manner befitting of that stature.

However, he also noted that the players had already apologised for their conduct on the show and also missed out on their earnings after being sent home from Australia. So, ‘it is unnecessary to return a categorical finding as to whether the remarks made during the course of the chat show constitutes as an act of indiscipline or misconduct or violation of any of Rules and Regulations on part of players as contemplated under Rule 41 (1) (c) of the rules’.

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This puts an end to that saga which, at one point, threatened to derail the promising careers of the two Indian players but both Pandya and Rahul can now shift their entire focus back on the game.

In the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the duo have been in sensational form for their respective franchises and fans at home will feel they can bring similar level of performances over to the ICC World Cup as well.

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