IPL 2019: Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab Not Willing To Lose Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul

Perhaps, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have become the most termed names in the last few days. They have been on the news headlines for obvious reasons ever since their episode in a talk show was aired. They have been suspended from their national duties regarding the controversy. Meanwhile, their franchise owners in IPL, Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab are not willing to leave them for IPL 2019.

In the recently aired talk show named Koffee With Karan that has a huge fan base in India, Hardik Pandya has passed on sexist comments. Just after Hardik Pandya passing the comments, the people out there showed their anger on the social media causing outrage to Hardik Pandya. Eventually, it made an impact on his career alongside KL Rahul.

Meanwhile, speaking of the same, as per InsideSport, a senior executive of one of the franchises quoted that they are not willing to leave a player of that stature. He also added that there can be no player in the kitty, who can come close to their game when it comes to the shorter format of the game.

This is a pure professional call – Franchise Executive

Further, he added that the respective Indian cricket board should affect their central contracts but shouldn’t let them stop playing IPL 2019. He went on to add that they don’t support the comments made by the youngsters but looking from the business point of view, he wants the player to stay in his side at any cost.

“We don’t deny what they said is not acceptable. Our management is clear that he (the player) will be sanitised before donning our jersey for the season. You will see a sea change in his behaviour. The issue has been discussed at length by our management. While the team owners are furious about the whole episode, management is of the view that we cannot make an emotional decision,” a senior executive said.

“They (the board or the CoA) can penalise them (Pandya and Rahul) financially by demoting them in their contract category. But why penalise us. There is nothing like sympathising. This is a pure professional call. Why do we indulge in moral policing? We are clear on how to handle him once he joins us for the league,” the franchise further added.

However, it would be interesting to see how things would pan out. As of now, the quantum of punishment is yet to be revealed out by the respective Indian board. Currently, there case is in Supreme court, which will be heard next week,