Former India Batsman Atul Bedade Suspended For Alleged Sexual Harassment
Updated - 22 Mar 2020, 11:33 AM
Former India batsman, Atul Bedade has been indefinitely suspended as the head coach of the Baroda women’s team, until ‘further inquiry’ after players accused him of sexual harassment and public shaming on Saturday. There are also charges of public shaming on Atul Bedade.
The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) took the action after some of the senior players complained against Atul Bedade for his alleged misbehaviour during Women’s Senior One-day tournament in Himachal Pradesh last month. BCA secretary Ajit Lele confirmed the news of the suspension.
“Yes, he is being suspended with immediate effect pending inquiry by probe committee having one neutral member from outside BCA,” Lele told PTI.
“It is standard practice (suspension) after you receive a complaint of sexual harassment,” a BCA source added.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Ajit Lele confirmed that BCA’s apex committee would form a probe committee to look into the allegations against the ex-cricketer. With the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic putting cricket operations on hold globally, it is not yet certain when the probe committee will be formed.
As things stand, all the major cricket series and tournaments around the world is suspended in the wake of the outbreak. Last week, India’s ODI series against South Africa was called off. England also cancelled their two-match Test series in Sri Lanka before Australia called off their ODI and T20I series against New Zealand.
Bangladesh decided the same with their last leg of Pakistan tour while the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended too till April 15. On Tuesday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also called off the Pakistan Super League just before the semifinal as the cases of coronavirus patients increased in the country.
Meanwhile, Atul Bedade played 13 ODIs for India in 1994, scoring 158 runs at an average of 22.57. He has also coached the Baroda men’s team and took charge of the women’s side last year.
