The interim suspensions on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were lifted with immediate effect on Thursday as the two India players were given some respite in the ongoing inquiry against them by the BCCI.
The duo had been suspended for their controversial comments on a television show and had been sent back home from India’s tour of Australia subsequently. An inquiry had been opened against the players by the BCCI and Committee of Administrators (CoA) but the matter had been referred to the Supreme Court eventually in the absence on an Ombudsman.
India’s top court had initially deferred the hearing of the several cases related to the BCCI until a new Amicus Curiae had been appointed. On the advice of newly appointed Amicus Curiae PS Narasimha, the CoA on Thursday lifted the bans on the duo with immediate effect pending the appointment of an Ombudsman by the BCCI.
The BCCI’s Ombudsman post has been lying vacant for some time now and a final verdict on the inquiry against the two players will only be reached once one has been appointed to the role.
BREAKING: Suspension of @hardikpandya7 & @klrahul11 lifted by COA on advice of new Amicus Curiae P S Narsimha pending appointment of and adjudication on allegations against the players by BCCI ombudsman who is yet to be appointed.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 24, 2019
“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,” a BCCI statement read.
The duo will now be available for selections to the India squad once again until a final verdict has been reached in their case.
