IPL

IPL 2022 final: Hardik Pandya’s coach rewinds ‘Koffee with Karan’ controversy

by
Zainab Shafiq
May 30, 2022

After the memorable win in the IPL 2022 final versus the Rajasthan Royals, Hardik Pandya’s childhood coach has revived the bitter memories from ‘Koffee with Karan’. Karan Johar welcomed the all-rounder alongside the wicketkeeping batter, KL Rahul, in one of his episodes. Pandya’s sexist remarks went viral all over the internet which became the reason for their ban.

The sexist remarks in a live show were not welcomed by the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) and they put a ban on both of them, which was lifted after some time. Alongside the ban, the players paid a hefty fine of INR Rs 20 Lakhs.

Pandya, who was appointed as the captain of the Titans on the team’s debut in the Indian Premier League, was backed by his childhood coach back then. The coach named Jitender Singh told him what happened cannot be denied and assured him that he will return to the Indian side in the shorter course.

“He hadn’t slept the whole night, na?” the coach asked another person in the room. “Tension nahin lena hai (Don’t take tension). You will get back to playing for India very soon. Jo ho gaya, voh ho gaya (what’s done is done), no use worrying about it. Come tomorrow to Reliance stadium. Now, smile,” Jitender told The Indian Express.

“I had booked a badminton court for us to play. Just to get the competitive juices and the joy of sport back in him. I wanted him to sweat out. It freed him, usko ehsaas hua (he realized) that he is a sportsman and this is what he is born to do. Not chat shows,” Singh added.

The coach also revealed the all rounder’s promise. He told that Pandya promised not to make such remarks again and focus on his game. Both, Rahul and Pandya have been crucial parts of the Indian team. The all-rounder somehow has been suffering injuries affecting his career, whereas, Rahul is at the peak of his career.

“Coach, you will not hear any negative thing about me after this” Jitender recalled Hardik’s words. “He has held that word, his father would have been so proud today,” Jitender added.