Michael Clarke reacts on Hardik Pandya's KWK controversy, says he will definitely be part of World Cup squad

Hardik Pandya was suspended by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) and was sent back from the Australian tour for his comments on Koffee with Karan.

Clarke thinks Hardik is an important part of the Indian ODI team.

Hardik Pandya is facing a lot of heat for his remarks on the talk show 'Koffee with Karan'. After getting sent back from the Australian tour and been suspended for the limited overs series against New Zealand, Pandya is set for a hearing on his behaviour from the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA). There has been ample criticism for Pandya’s comments on the show but the severity of punishment has also been questioned by fans and former cricketers.

Australia’s 2010 World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke has also reacted on the situation and gave his verdict on the matter. While he did not directly refer to Pandya’s comments on the show, Clarke admitted that Pandya is important to the Indian side  in preparation for the World Cup. 

"A talented player like Hardik is very necessary for the balance of the side. He can win games alone with his batting and I am confident he will be in that World Cup squad," Clarke sounded confident.

Clarke also talked about how young cricketers should focus on earning respect while the monetary aspect of the game. He talked about how respecting everyone is important regardless of the fact you are a star or an international cricketer.

"How much money you have earned is irrelevant because most important thing is to earn and give respect. I think it all starts with how you have been brought up.

"Respecting every individual is very important. It starts with respecting elders regardless of profession," 

Clarke then went on to talk about how every individual makes mistakes but is important to move on and learn from that.

"Professional sportspersons are role models, recognized and they have a responsibility. Having said that, everyone makes mistakes and one needs to move on and learn from them," said Clarke.

Hardik’s comments on the show were deemed to be “sexist and misogynist” by many fans and he faced a huge backlash on social media. He was called back along with KL Rahul, who was a part of the show with him, from the Australian tour. They were subsequently suspended for an indefinite period pending an inquiry. Earlier last week, CoA decided to appoint an ombudsman to carry the inquiry of Hardik and Rahul's conduct in the Karan Johar-hosted talk show. On Saturday, BCCI acting President C K Khanna CoA to lift the suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul and allow them more game time ahead of World Cup 2019. 

"They made a mistake, and they have already been suspended and called back from the series against Australia. They have also submitted an unconditional apology," Khanna wrote in his letter to the CoA. "I suggest that pending inquiry we reinstate both the cricketers into the Indian squad immediately and allow them to join the team in New Zealand at the earliest."