“Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul can still be role models,” feels Rahul Dravid, who is currently the coach of the Under-19 Indian cricket team. The former Indian captain said that the duo haven’t still reached their full potential and maybe the current episode (of making sexist remarks on Koffee With Karan 6) becomes a catalyst for them, and they come out as better players.

Speaking to Cricinfo, Rahul Dravid said that he was glad that the CoA had lifted the suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. He also that there is an impending inquiry going on against the duo, and the process should be completed. Karan Johar is 'Grateful' as BCCI Lifts Ban on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul After KWK 6 Fiasco, Says They Deserve a Second Chance (Watch Video).

Dravid said, “I did not see the full show. I saw bits and pieces. At one level the players themselves have come out and said how disappointed they were with the way it came out, and rightly so. Clearly, when you are representing India, you need to be a bit careful with your public views and comments that you make,” when asked if he did see the full episode on which Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul spoke.

Recently Rahul Dravid had said that one should not overreact on what is going on in this issue. He clarified saying, “Sometimes we forget that mistakes have happened in the past. They will happen in the future. If you were to read the papers or if I were to hear comments it comes across as if it is only happening now. I can understand some of the anger, I can understand some of the reactions, but one has to understand mistakes will happen.” Should Karan Johar Be Booed For Hardik Pandya Fiasco On 'Koffee With Karan'?.

Dravid also said that he had coached both the players at different levels and how he felt that the interview didn’t reflect the players truly. He added, “I will say honestly, I do believe that both of them have not yet achieved their obvious potential that they both have, and maybe this might be the catalyst that would lead them to reflect and help them reach the level and potential they can achieve in all forms of the game. If they can do that they can certainly be role models.”

Talking about Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, the ban on the duo was lifted with immediate effect by the CoA. On the one hand, Hardik Pandya flew to be the part of the Indian ODI squad; whereas, on the other hand, KL Rahul joined the India A team to square-off against the England A team, where Dravid is the coach of the team. Hardik Pandya & KL Rahul to be Banned for Comments on Koffee With Karan 6? Reports Say COA Member Diana Edulji Wants Cricketers to be Barred?

With ICC World Cup 2019 fast-approaching, it will be interesting to see how the process shapes up and how Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul make it to the Indian cricket team, if they do. Stay tuned with us to get all the latest updates about the Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul controversy on Koffee With Karan 6 episode.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2019 07:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).