The very first month of 2019 has shown Indian cricket in poor light, with Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul facing suspension pending an inquiry for their "misogynistic" and "sexist" comments on the popular TV show Koffee with Karan and an under-16 cricketer from Mumbai involving in an obscene act in the dressing room.

Dejected by the falling reputation of the game in India, some former cricketers have reportedly urged the administrators to do the needful in terms of ‘educating and mentoring’ the young cricketers before things get out of the hand.

Legendary India opener Virender Sehwag feels it is high time the BCCI takes some responsibility of educating the budding cricketers.

“I was taught at home to respect seniors. I was lucky I got to learn from players like Kumble, Sachin, Laxman, Ganguly. I feel it is the responsibility of the international players to set an example. Why can't we have regular visits by former stars and legends to lecture the trainees at the NCA. The Board should have a psychiatrist to speak to young cricketers at the NCA. It has become imperative now,” Sehwag quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Sharing his two cents, batting great VVS Laxman advised the board to not allow a player to feature in the cash-rich Indian Premier League before he turns 22.

“No IPL until a player turns 22. It's important for BCCI to see that aspects like handling sudden prosperity, fame, media, fans become part of the cricketing curriculum at the NCA. Upbringing of a cricketer should be BCCI's responsibility especially with the explosion of the social media now,” Laxman asserted.

For the former India batsman Mohinder Amarnath, the issue is more of a social one.

“When you gain fame, after coming from humble surroundings, small towns, you tend to make mistakes. They should know that off the field behaviour is as important as on it. They can't be bigger than the game. They should also remember that women should always be respected,” Amarnath opined.

(With inputs from The Hindu)