Last updated on .From the section Cricket Rahul and Pandya were part of the India squad on the tour of Australia Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have been suspended by India's cricket board (the BCCI) after comments about women on a television show. The ban is with immediate effect and the pair have been told to return home from the tour of Australia to explain themselves. Pandya has since apologised, saying he "got carried away with the show". The BCCI said external-link "an enquiry and proceedings will be made against them for misconduct and indiscipline". Pandya, 25, and Rahul, 26, were speaking on popular celebrity talk show Koffee with Karan, which is hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar. The chat show is in its sixth season and this was the first time cricketers have appeared on the sofa. Pandya spoke about "hook-ups" with several women and said he liked to observe women at bars or nightclubs. He boasted on the show about being open with his parents about the liaisons, however Rahul, who is yet to address the controversy, was more reserved with his comments. Writing on social media, Pandya added: "I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way. "Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone's sentiments. Respect." India captain Virat Kohli called the comments "inappropriate" and was without the two players for his side's defeat in the opening match of a three-match one-day series down under.<doc-sep>Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were suspended last week. Photo credits: BCCI The decision of Committee of Administrators (COA) to request the Supreme Court of India to appoint an ombudsman to inquire into the case of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul is all set to delay the return of the duo to professional cricket. The apex court will be hearing the matter next week and it is not confirmed whether the ombudsman would be appointed the same day. After an ombudsman will be appointed, he will look into the case of the duo to decide on the punishment, probably a ban or fine. The formal process will be taking its own time and is all set to delay the comebacks of Pandya and Rahul, who were sent back to India from Australia last week. The duo could have learned its punishment by now had COA decided to solve the matter but the inner rift in the committee has seen the immediate future of Pandya and Rahul in limbo. (Also Read: India vs Australia 3rd ODI live updates) For now, it has been confirmed that they will not be playing the limited-overs series against New Zealand and their participation in the home series against Australia solely depends on the decision of the inquiry that is not expected to come soon. Hence, it can be a long wait for Pandya and Rahul. (Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul appeared on Koffee with Karan) Should they be banned for a long period, the duo could also miss Indian Premier League 2019 but that totally depends on the length of bans of them. If banned for a long, their participation in World Cup 2019 will also be in doubt. Both the cricketers would be hoping for a quick inquiry into the matter so as they learn their comeback dates. They were suspended by BCCI last week for their comments on talk show Koffee with Karan. Their comments were deemed to be sexist, that did not go down well with fans and BCCI., which suspended both the cricketers with immediate effect.<doc-sep>Hardik Pandya has missed the ongoing ODI series in Australia and is likely to miss the limited-over series in New Zealand following the Koffee With Karan controversy (Reuters Photo) Hardik Pandya returned home from Australia following his suspension over his controversial remarks on TV show Koffee with Karan. Since his return, Pandya has stayed home and has stopped taking calls but he did watch India's successful run chase in the second ODI against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were slammed over their sexist comments on Koffee with Karan. Despite an apology to fans and their own teammates, Pandya and Rahul were suspended by BCCI and were forced to return to India. The Committee of Administrators is not happy with the unconditional apology and is insisting on harsher punishment for the duo. In a show with Karan Johar which aired on Indian television on January 6, Pandya said: "At a party, my parents asked me acha tera wala [your women] kaun sa hai, so I said yeh, yeh, yeh [pointing out to some women] and they were like 'waah proud of u beta'," Pandya had said. "When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, 'Mein karke aaya hai aaj (I had sex today)'." he added. Pandya's comments were widely condemned on social media. India cricket legend Harbhajan Singh blasted Pandya and said he would not want to travel on the same team bus with Pandya or KL Rahul. Pandya, one of the flashiest cricketers in the country, has avoided the public space since his return: "He watched the match. Ever since he has returned from Australia, he has not stepped out of the house. He is also not taking any calls... he is just taking rest," Hardik's father Himanshu was quoted as saying by Mid Day. "It's a festival... a public holiday in Gujarat, but Hardik did not fly any kites. He loves flying kites but his busy cricketing schedule never allowed him to be at home during this festival over the last few years. "This time, he had a chance to fly kites, but because of the adverse situation, there was no mood to celebrate the festival." Himanshu said his son Hardik was very disappointed with the comments but added that the family has not brought the topic up at home: "We have decided not to talk to him on this subject. Even his elder brother Krunal has not discussed anything about the episode with him. We are waiting for the BCCI's decision." Following the furore over his Koffee with Karan row, Hardik Pandya has lost an endorsement deal with Gillette and honorary membership with the iconic Khar Gymkhana. Also See:<doc-sep>Rahul Johri. (TOI Photo) Key Highlights Suspended India players Pandya and Rahul gave their statements to BCCI CEO Johri It is learnt that both players deposed via telephone after having tendered unconditional apologies to BCCI The two players had spoken about hooking up with multiple women on 'Koffee with Karan', triggering an online storm NEW DELHI: Suspended India players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul Tuesday gave their statements to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri , initiating the inquiry into their much-condemned comments on women that have split the Committee of Administrators ( CoA ). It is learnt that both players deposed via telephone after having tendered unconditional apologies in reply to the fresh show cause notices issued by the BCCI. "The CEO spoke to them via telephone. However, his brief was simple as the inquiry initiator. He has to just collate whatever they have written in their show cause reply. He is expected to submit his report to CoA by tomorrow," a BCCI official, privy to the development, told PTI. However, it is learnt the CEO did not ask any questions on whether their agents pressurised them into attending such the entertainment show and also speaking in the manner that they did. "Any investigative question is the purview of the ombudsman. Now the next phase will only happen if the SC appoints an ombudsman or an ad-hoc ombudsman is appointed," he said. The two players had spoken about hooking up with multiple women and being casual about it even with their parents on 'Koffee with Karan', triggering an online storm. CoA chief Vinod Rai recommended a two-match ban on the duo but his colleague Diana Edulji took the matter to the BCCI legal cell, which refused to call the players' actions a violation of the code of conduct and recommended the appointment of an ombudsman. The BCCI office-bearers seconded Edulji and even went to the extent of demanding a Special General Meeting to discuss the matter. Rai, on the other hand, has cautioned against going too far. In an e-mail to Edulji, he has stated that the "BCCI is not in the business of ending young careers."<doc-sep>
Hack: Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya have been suspended by the Supreme Court Appointed Committee of Administrators Republic TV has accessed an email from the Supreme Court Appointed Committee of Administrators to Pandya Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya have been suspended by the Supreme Court Appointed Committee of Administrators. In an email from the Supreme Court Appointed Committee of Administrators to Pandya, says that since enquiry and proceedings against him had been initiated, as per Rule 41(6) of the BCCI Constitution, he has been "suspended with immediate effect from participating in any manner whatsoever in any match or function or event or activity that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter." READ | Netizens Demand Karan Johar To Speak Up After Hardik Pandya's 'misogynistic' Comments On 'Koffee With Karan' Republic TV has accessed the letter from the Committee of Administrators (COA) to Hardik Pandya. Here is what it says: Dear Mr. Pandya, You are aware that enquiry and proceedings against you for misconduct and indiscipline have been initiated under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution and the same are presently pending. In terms of Rule 41(6) of the BCCI Constitution, you are hereby suspended with immediate effect from participating in any manner whatsoever in any match or function or event or activity that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter. Yours faithfully, The Supreme Court Appointed Committee of Administrators. READ | BCCI Raps Hardik Pandya And KL Rahul, Issues Show Cause Notice For Their Comments On 'Koffee With Karan' In an episode of the 'Koffee WIth Karan' hosted by Bollywood director, producer Karan Johar, Pandya was featured along with his teammate KL Rahul. During the show, both the players, especially Pandya, made some unnecessary remarks, which were sexist in nature. What followed was a massive protest on social media, with users taking the two individuals to the sword. It was soon learnt that he was ticked off by the BCCI top brass. According to a source, his comments were deemed "crass and cringeworthy" and might have a bearing on whether Indian cricketers appear on "such non-cricket shows" after this. "It will be considered whether players should even be allowed to appear on such shows which have got nothing to do with cricket," a BCCI source told PTI. On Thursday, COA chief Vinod Rai recommended a two-match ban for Pandya and Rahul but colleague Edulji referred the matter to BCCI's legal team. Earlier on Friday, Edulji called for the suspension of the two players pending inquiry after the BCCI legal team refused to declare their outrage-evoking comments on women a violation of the code of conduct, following which it was announced that India will not be fielding Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul in Saturday's ODI series-opener against Australia. MASSIVE: KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya Left Out Of First ODI Against Australia Following Sexist Comments On TV Show