India suspend Pandya, Rahul over comments on women

NEW DELHI: India on Friday suspended all-rounder Hardik Pandya and batsman Lokesh Rahul over comments made about women on a TV show and could force them to leave the team's Australia tour, a cricket board source told AFP.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has told the team management that the duo will not play in at least the first of three one-day internationals in Sydney on Saturday while a full inquiry is launched.

"Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry over their misogynist remarks in a TV chat show," the source said.

Both could be ordered back to India, the source added, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement.

Pandya, who was in the squad that beat Australia for the first time in an away Test series, boasted on the TV celebrity show about his success with multiple women.

Rahul was on the show at the same time and watched his teammate's bragging that sparked outrage on social media.

Pandya, 25, has apologised for his conduct, but BCCI administrator Vinod Rai has suggested a two-match ban for both players.

Diana Edulji, former India women's captain who is part of a Supreme Court appointed committee overseeing BCCI affairs, said Friday the duo should not play until an investigation is complete.

Skipper Virat Kohli distanced himself from the controversy earlier Friday, saying the team does not support any "inappropriate" comments.