Sexist remarks: Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul suspended; out of Australia ODI series

NEW DELHI: In a fresh war of words, Supreme Court-appointed committee of administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji has objected to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri doing the preliminary inquiry into the misconduct of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul On Saturday morning, CoA chairman Vinod Rai sent out a mail citing the need to hurry the process as they ‘cannot afford to debilitate team strength due to delinquent behavior on the part of some player.’ Rai has suggested that the players must give their explanations early.Interestingly, in the statement released by the BCCI on Friday night, undersigned by the CoA, it was mentioned that selection committee will soon name their replacements for the ODI series against Australia and the following tour to New Zealand. According to the mail, in possession of TOI, Rai has said that BCCI must take a view by the second ODI. It may be recalled that Rai had initially suggested a two-match ban for the duo.Edulji, in her response, has cited opinion of the legal team wherein the players get a week’s time to submit their explanations before the CEO starts his preliminary inquiry.“In view of the grave sexual allegations levied on the CEO, it wouldn’t be justified if he conducts the inquiry. It’s bad optics and the CoA will be criticized for it,” Edulji wrote. “We should be in no hurry to conduct the inquiry as then it will look like a cover up job being done. The selectors are in the process of sending the replacements immediately and as such the team will be full strength,” she added.Edulji further suggested that the inquiry should be conducted by the CoA and the BCCI office-bearers for the process to be deemed transparent. “The inquiry should be done by the CoA along with the three BCCI office-bearers or the CoA along with the secretary who is still functional and carrying out his duties,” Edulji’s mail read.