When KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya Are Not Featuring, It Upsets the Balance of Side - Virat Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli said it upsets the balance of the side when two quality players like KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya are not featuring for the team. Both Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were sent back home to India. Both the players have been suspended for their controversial statements on Koffee with Karan show.

In fact, both the players have been suspended till the verdict of the enquiry which has been started by the Committee of Administrators. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli had also criticised the statements. The Indian skipper had said that the team doesn’t support the comments of both the players.

Both the players are sent back home.

Virat Kohli said that such statement doesn’t help in holding the right atmosphere of the dressing room.

“We are always looking to improve as a side. We need to strike when the big games arrive. When two quality players (Hardik and Rahul) are not featuring, it upsets the balance of the side. Jadeja is back in the ODI side, let’s see what he’s got to offer,” said Virat Kohli at the toss in the first One-Dayer.

“We would have batted first as well but a couple of players were inclined towards chasing. It’s a brilliant wicket to play on, with shorter boundary on one side. It’s going to be an exciting chase as I am always inclined towards chasing. That’s always not the team plan, we need to take a collective decision. Anyway, we have to bowl first now”.

Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bat first in the match. Australia is currently 146-3 after the completion of 32 overs.

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have been condemned for their statements. It has not gone down well with the BCCI as well as CoA.

As per Rule 41(6) of the BCCI Constitution, the players are hereby suspended with immediate effect from participating in any manner whatsoever in any match or function or event or activity that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter.