India head coach Ravi Shastri recently opened up about the TV show controversy involving Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, saying that both the cricketers must have learnt a lot from that unfortunate episode.

Earlier this year, Pandya and Rahul appeared on the popular TV show ‘Koffee with Karan’ and created a storm by making "misogynistic" and "sexist" comments. After receiving flak from various quarters, the duo was suspended pending an inquiry by BCCI and called back from the Australia tour.

"Pandya and Rahul needed the rap on their knuckles. They would have learnt a lot from what happened, which is good," Shastri told Mirror Now.

"You are bound to make mistakes and you are bound to be punished at times but that's not the end of the world. Such experiences just help players to come back stronger, harder and wiser," he added.

Unhappy with BCCI’s regulation of not allowing WAGs (wives and girlfriends) to stay with players on overseas tours for more than 14 days, India skipper Virat Kohli had requested the cricket board to change the policy and let them stay for the entire duration of a tour. After discussing the subject, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) had decided that the WAGs can now accompany the players on tours, except for the first 10 days.

Commenting on this subject, the Indian chief coach said: "The players know if it is going to affect their performances they will take the decision accordingly. When you see the amount of time they spend away from home, you got to be practical there.”

"But yes, if it is big event like a World Cup or a big tournament where you need the boys to be absolutely focused 24x7 then it's different but otherwise - this day and age you got to be practical and be a little open minded," Shastri further asserted.