The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finally swung to action on Friday and suspended Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul pending an inquiry into their outrage-evoking comments on women during a TV show, reports PTI. The troubled duo thus has been ruled out of the three-match One-One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, which starts on Saturday. Ind vs Aus 1st ODI: Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul Dropped from India's Squad Following Misogynist Comments on KWK Show

"Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry," the Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai told PTI. The cricketers, who have been in the eye of a storm following their sexist remarks on 'Koffee with Karan', were earlier omitted from the line-up for the opening match in Sydney.

A source in the BCCI said the two will be issued fresh show-cause notices before a formal enquiry begins. "Whether it will be an internal committee of the BCCI or an ad hoc ombudsman who will conduct an inquiry, is yet to be ascertained," the official said. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul May Be Suspended Over KWK 6 Controversy: 5 Players Who Can Replace the Tainted Duo in IND vs AUS ODI Series 2019

"The Indian team management will take a call on whether they would want to keep the two with the team or send them back. There is a school of thought that they be kept with the team as the backlash back home could be severe but the majority in BCCI brass is against the decision," he added.

In case the two are brought back from Australia, the likes of Rishabh Pant and Manish Pandey will be in contention to be their replacements. "It won't be surprising if two from Vijay Shankar, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey or Rishabh Pant are flown Down Under," the source said.

The decision to hand them suspensions came after Rai's CoA colleague Diana Edulji recommended suspension till further action against the two. This was after the BCCI's legal team refused to declare the duo's comments a violation of the code of conduct. Edulji had initially suggested a two-match suspension for the duo but referred the matter to the legal cell after Vinod Rai agreed with her and recommended the same.

Meanwhile, it is speculated that the BCCI might bar players from appearing on entertainment shows owing to the ongoing furore. (With PTI inputs).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2019 05:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).