Indian cricket stars in hot water over 'sexist, misogynistic' remarks
India’s celebrations after a historic win over Australia have been brought to an abrupt halt.
India cricket chiefs have ordered star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to explain ‘sexist’ comments made on a TV chat show after the remarks sparked social media outrage and prompted the player to apologise.
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Pandya said he “got a bit carried away” as he explained his bragging about his prowess with women on the show that aired Sunday.
Pandya and batsman Lokesh Rahul, who also took part in the interview, have both been ordered to explain their comments. Both are currently on India’s tour of Australia.
“We have sent show cause notices to Hardik Pandya and K.L. Rahul for their comments,” Board of Control for Cricket in India administrator Vinod Rai was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.
“They have been given 24 hours to give an explanation.”
‘I got a bit carried away’
The announcement came only a few hours after the 25-year-old Pandya posted his apology on social media.
“After reflecting on my comments on Koffee with Karan, I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way,” Pandya said on Twitter.
“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,” he added.
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 9, 2019
‘Observing how they move’
The show hosted by Bollywood producer and director Karan Johar encourages guests to open up on personal matters.
Pandya, who was in the squad that beat Australia for the first time in an away Test series, boasted about his success with multiple women.
“You are just watching and observing how they move as I said I am a little from the black side (influenced by West Indies culture) so I have to see how they (women) move first,” he said.
Pandya also said he had bragged to his parents after losing his virginity.
He was quickly slammed for his views on women.
“#KoffeeWithCricketers was just the worst episode. What’s up with all the #misogyny. Tired of this boys will be boys attitude,” Ekta Chauhan, a Twitter user, wrote.
“To say the least #HardikPandya is horrendous a misogynist,” added another user who called for Indian cricket authorities to take action against the “obnoxious” comments.
Hardik Pandya and K.L. Rahul’s comments on #KoffeeWithKaran were quite shocking!
Completely brought to light the very behavior / stories that the cricketing fraternity has been trying to hide for all these years.
They were considered as rumours / tall stories once upon a time!
— Ameya Kamath (@AmeyaKamath) January 9, 2019
How Pandya got 'carried away', comments that led to storm and show cause
Big shame @BCCI should sack them!Are they role models for our youth?Proud about their womanising,targeting women,treating them as objects! @imVkohli Virat pl drop them https://t.co/0JqIAIcZyl— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) January 9, 2019
Pandya's apology says he "got carried away because of the nature of the show". That's not an apology, that's an excuse. A real apology would be to say – "Sorry for being an outright jerk." #koffeewithkaran https://t.co/gPL8LUn2Mz
— Sohini (@Mittermaniac) January 9, 2019
I condemn the irresponsible behaviour of these tweets cricketers and they need to receive suitable reprimand for their appalling comments. I seriously condemn the comments of Pandya’s Father condoning his son’s offensive comments and statin that they were “innocent”.
— Ramesh Kumar (@rk_mel) January 9, 2019
Hardik Pandya for 'misogynistic & sexist' comments on #KoffeeWithKaran
@imVkohli The Indian cricket team needs sensitivity and gender training how ti behave with women! Big Shame!@AnushkaSharma what is your thinking on it?
They should be banned from cricket all time. pic.twitter.com/03CEUXd208— Abhishek Pandey sankrityan (@Sankrityanabhis) January 9, 2019
Pandya is still expected to play in three one-day internationals against Australia starting Saturday in Sydney.
Pandya and Rahul also caused a social media stir for comments on the same show when they said current India skipper Virat Kohli was a better batsman than the country’s cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.