Hardik and KL Rahul were suspended from playing for India after the incident.
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul had no idea an evening in the famous talk show Koffee with Karan will jeopardize their cricket career. Both the cricketers had to face backlash because of their comments in the show.
The controversy got so big that they were suspended from playing. BCCI also fined both the cricketers INR 20 lakh each.
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It wasn't easy for them to deal with it. While they were barred from playing, the whole internet was against them for their comments, especially Pandya faced a lot of criticism.
Recalling the dark phase of their career back in 2019, Hardik said he and Rahul had to take a break from each other. “This was KL's idea (to exchange t-shirts after an IPL match). KL is a brother to me we have been in all scenarios together. From going up, having success.....going down in the same boat. Then coming up differently. For me....whatever ever happened..after suspension I was straight into the Indian team. He had to go to play for India A. He was there in the team then he had to play India A,” Pandya told Cricbuzz.
The good thing was their bond remained the same and it didn't get affected because of the incident.
“Our friendship never got.... We took one month off from each other.....it was needed. The stress level was so much at that time. KL never changed..the friendship stayed. Yes, become calmer than what he was. He has been some. We still love each other," he added.