Anil Kumble breaks silence on Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul Controversy

Kumble is confident Pandya and Rahul will come out stronger from this experience.

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul with Karan Johar | Hotstar

Indian spin great Anil Kumble has finally come up with his opinion on the Koffee with Karan controversy, saying what happened on the show was very disappointing but both Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul would have learned a lesson from the entire episode.

Kumble, former Indian cricket team head coach, pointed out that the major issue is about giving proper education and training to all the cricketers especially off the field.

While Pandya and Rahul have returned to the field after Committee of Administrators (CoA) lifted suspension with the further investigation pending, Kumble believes that the two players would have learned a lesson and hopes the duo would make a strong comeback.

Kumble told Cricket Next, “Yeah, I mean obviously it's very disappointing to see what was spoken about & to hear what was said, I think, yes it was certainly very disappointing what happened, but I think these two players would have learned a lesson from all the things that happened around the talk show. They have been reprimanded and I am sure they will come back stronger. So that's a positive that they will come back stronger, but I think the other major issue is about educating the players and then knowing you know what is it, what kind of... you need some education and need some training.”

The legendary leg-spinner continued, “It's like any other profession, so cricketers also need that especially off the field and yes these players seem always are going from one match to the other and they hardly get to understand the outside world and they seem most of the time in a bubble, so it's important that they get the other perspective of the world and I think it's important that they get these kind of support in terms of educating the players. I am sure the both of them will come stronger from this experience and you know they need to be a lot more focused.”

Meanwhile, former skipper doesn’t think Pandya and Rahul should be handed further suspensions by the BCCI ombudsman, saying ban from Australia series was enough and now the two should get on with cricket and refocus on how to grow as individuals and as players.

Kumble signed off by saying, “No, I don't think so, I think that's been done, it's important for them to be told and like I mentioned it needs to be a proper kind of a set up you know where you are training them with professionals coming in and telling them, and I think it's important that they get on with the game and refocus on what they can achieve, as individuals, as players.”

(With Cricket Next Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 06 Feb, 2019

    Share Via