All-rounder Hardik Pandya has said that he was not in control of what he said during his controversial appearance on Koffee with Karan and that ‘the ball was not in my court.’
Speaking on India Today show ‘Inspiration’, Pandya said that he was in ‘a very vulnerable place’ and that he did not know what was going to happen.
“We as cricketers did not know what was going to happen. The ball was not in my court, it was in someone else’s court where they had to take the shot and that’s a very vulnerable place, you don’t want to be (in it),” he said.
After Pandya and KL Rahul appeared on an episode of ‘Koffee with Karan’ last year, the duo (especially Pandya) drew massive criticism for their misogynistic comments. It even led to a suspension and they were called back from a series against Australia. The two were later returned to the Indian squad after tendering apologies to a BCCI committee.
“I still remember I did not step out of my house. It took me a week or 10 days to just realise that this is not it. You have to step out and face the things than just being in your cocoon,” said Pandya.
“I realised that this is kind of an exam that is coming at a difficult phase which you have to get through. I then shifted my focus to my game and forgot what happened. Whether I was going to be suspended for six months or coming back in the next game. I had no idea, it was just rumours.”
The 26-year-old feels that a lot of people perceive him wrongly and it changes once they meet him.
“Lots of people take me in a very wrong way. Someone who does not know me, they think I am arrogant, I am not easy to talk to and cocky and all. I have got so many people who came to me and said, ‘we thought you were like this but you’re completely opposite’.”
“That’s why the relationship that I have with all my teammates or anyone who knows me closely is fantastic. They are genuinely like my brothers.”
“I still remember when I came back, everyone was looking after me, making sure I was mentally alright, physically alright which was quite a sweet thing. The comeback was fine,” said the 26-year-old.
In an interview, Rahul had admitted the controversy had affected his equation with Pandya. Johar had also taken responsibility for the consequences the two cricketers faced.
“I have to say that I feel very responsible because it was my show and my platform. I invited them as guests, and so the ramifications and the repercussions of the show are my responsibility. I have had so many sleepless nights wondering how can I undo this damage, who is going to listen to me,” Karan had said.
While Rahul is playing in the ongoing T20 series against Sri Lanka, Pandya is recovering from a back injury. Pandya has not played since September last year, but is expected to be back next month after being named in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. However, he recently made headlines after announcing that he was engaged.
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