Cricket
Rahul Dravid is glad with COA’s decision to lift suspensions on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
Updated : Jan 26, 2019, 06:15 PM IST
Rahul Dravid is glad with COA’s decision to lift suspensions on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The former India captain said that the players have admitted their mistake and it’s time to move on. He also expressed hope that maybe this whole will act as a catalyst for Pandya and Rahul to better and come out stronger.
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were suspended and asked to return back midway from the tour of Australia after they faced backlash for their inappropriate remarks on a TV chat show.
Speaking to ESPNCrincinfo, the Dravid said, “I am glad the suspension has been lifted. There is an inquiry in the process which must be completed.”
Dravid said that while the probe will do its job, it was time to move on. He said, “No one is brushing this under the carpet. The players have been the first people to admit that they made a mistake. They already have suffered a lot publicly. It is time to move on. We also need to ensure we don’t overreact. At no stage are you condoning their action or the behaviour.”
Dravid also advised Hardik and Rahul to be careful with their views in future.
The India-A coach said, “I did not see the full show. I saw bits and pieces. At one level the players themselves have come out and said how disappointed they were with the way it came out, and rightly so. Clearly, when you are representing India you need to be a bit careful with your public views and comments that you make because it might be completely inappropriate to a lot of people. Having said that it is important to recognise and realise that sometimes these things can happen. Sportspersons and public figures can make mistakes. It is part of learning and growing up.”
He added: “I have coached both of them at various levels. I somehow just don’t feel that interview truly reflected the players. Hopefully, they will come back better and stronger from this. I will say honestly, I do believe that both of them have not yet achieved their obvious potential that they both have, and maybe this might be the catalyst that would lead them to reflect and help them reach the level and potential they can achieve in all forms of the game. If they can do that they can certainly be role models.”
Hardik Pandya will join the Indian team in New Zealand for the remaining ODIs. KL Rahul will be a part of the India A squad and will feature in the final three ODIs of the ongoing series against England Lions at home.