Reports | Supreme Court to hear Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul issue ‘tentatively’ on February 5

According to a TOI report, the website of the apex court of the country has given February 5 as a tentative date for the BCCI hearing and the important decisions like the appointment of a new Amicus and the appointment of an ombudsman to take a call on the duo. 

Both Pandya and Rahul, who are under suspension following their controversial comments on women on chat show “Koffee with Karan”, will have to wait a couple of weeks more till the next hearing. The dup was called back from the tour to Australia and Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar were named as the replacements in the national side. 

Earlier on January 19, the apex court had announced to hear the matter within a week’s time. Now, the duo has no idea about their return to cricket till an ombudsman is appointed who will take the last decision as per the preliminary report submitted by the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri. 

There are reports that CoA chief Vinod Rai is considering an option of appointing an ad-ombudsman to look into the matter. The CoA chief had discussed the matter with the Indian team management when they were in Australia and had also asked coach Ravi Shastri to give the cricketers a “dressing down”.

“Whatever the views of the ad-hoc ombudsman, they can be later presented to the ombudsman appointed by SC for approval. But at least, the enquiry process can be completed and the players can start thinking about their cricket again,” sources told TOI.

“The players have gone through enough. Former cricket legends have spoken on this now. A closure is what is needed if you want these cricketers to retain their sanity. COA should be more thoughtful and not mess with careers.”