Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, once regular faces in the Indian ODI team, have now found themselves on the fences after the public backlash over the controversial Koffee With Karan 6 episode. Both Pandya and Rahul were banned by the CoA-monitored BCCI for an indefinite period, following which the matters have even been escalated to the Supreme Court.

After being asked to fly home during the recently concluded Test and ODI series in Australia, both Pandya and Rahul's chances to make it to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 12, and ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 look bleak. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul To Play in IPL 2019? Teams Mull Over Duo's Participation Despite Indefinite Suspension.

Well, all of it is speculation at the moment as there is nothing concrete which has come out in the public domain. Both the players have tendered an unconditional apology to the BCCI; however, nothing seems to have simmered down.

Virat Kohli would be contemplating to have the two ODI regulars back in the squad, and with the World Cup nearly four months away, it doesn't seem a far-fetched possibility. Virat Kohli on KL Rahul & Hardik Pandya Koffee With Karan 6 Episode: ‘Responsible Cricketers Don’t Align With Those Views, Those Were Individual Opinions’.

The BCCI announced Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill as like-for-like replacements in the Indian squad that will face New Zealand in the upcoming 5-match ODI series and 3-match Twenty20 series. Well, given how the things have gone so far in the Hardik Pandya - KL Rahul fiasco, it will be interesting to see if their absence comes as a blessing in disguise for the Indian team.

Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill were added into the Indian squad after their stellar performances in domestic cricket and for India A teams. With five one-dayers and a few T20Is ahead of the Indian team, the think-tank would surely want to give them a chance, if the need arises and either (or both) of the two are needed to be drafted in India's World Cup' scheme of things.

Since Hardik Pandya is missing from the line-up, Vijay Shankar comes as a handy seaming all-rounder. How effective will he be, is for his performances to answer, but being a decent bowler and a handy lower-order contributor, Shankar can be a helpful resource. Koffee With Karan 6 To Be the LAST Season After Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul Controversy? Here's Why Karan Johar's Chat Show Might Finally See The End.

Also, skipper Virat Kohli could try different combinations in the team by experimenting on the number 7 and 8 spots, keeping in mind the conditions in England. With Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijay Shankar, and Hardik Pandya in the fray for the two spots in the Indian team, the selection in the upcoming series would be an exciting watch.

KL Rahul wasn't in tremendous form before his unprecedented ouster from the Indian team. As a back-up opener, or someone who could play at the number 3 position, KL Rahul was a perfect contingency plan for the Indian team, if things didn't go down well with Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, or Ambati Rayudu.

Rahul's absence in the side will give Kohli the luxury of playing all the three – MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, and Dinesh Karthik – in the playing XI and see how things fare, thereon. With Dhoni returning to his old form, it will be fascinating to see who between Jadhav and Karthik is preferred in the first eleven. India vs New Zealand ODI Series 2019 Preview: Top 4 Issues That Virat Kohli-led Indian Team Should Address Against Kiwis Ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup.

The first game of the 5-match ODI series against New Zealand will be played at the Mclean Park, in Napier, on January 23. With so many other options to try before the mega tournament in May, will Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's absence in the side be a blessing in a disguise for team India? Let us know about your views in the comments section below!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2019 10:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).