Opinion: Two-match ban recommended for Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul isn't the perfect solution to the controversy

The ongoing controversy surrounding Indian opening batsman KL Rahul and all-rounder Hardik Pandya seems to have taken a different turn. The issue escalated on Thursday after CoA (Committee of Administrators) Chief Vinod Rai recommended a two-match ban for both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya.

Both the players can get into more trouble following their controversial comments on Koffee with Karan. While Hardik Pandya has already issued his apology on social media, Rahul has so far said nothing about the incident.

The treasurer of BCCI (Board of Cricket Control India) Anirudh Chaudhry also raised the question about who granted permission to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul to attend the show. He opined that BCCI should set an example similar to the Australian Cricket Board, who gave Steve Smith and David Warner a year long ban over the ball-tampering saga. He also ensured that such decision by BCCI would ensure that players do not imitate such behavior in the future.

Pandya's comments drew criticism from all around the nation and as things stand today, both the players could get into further trouble. Meanwhile, Hotstar has even taken down Rahul and Hardik's Koffee with Karan episode.

Slammed as misogynist and sexist, the investigation is underway to decide upon the fate of these players. Anirudh Chaudhry has also suggested that all the players should go through a sensitization process to avoid any such possible imitation in the future by other players.

The only thing bothering this whole investigation is the idea of banning these players from playing. All things considered, both the players have issued an apology. BCCI could make sure that similar incidents don't happen by so many other means. Punishment in the form of barring these players from playing seems a little odd.

This situation should be treated more with taking the character of these players into play, and I personally think that the spirit of cricket shouldn't miss out on two very talented players. What happened with Warner and Smith, a similar treatment that Rai spoke about is on a very different line when compared to the kind of mistake that these both have done.

Both are equally worthy of punishment but on two different levels. My motive is not a justification for these two players but an opinion that banning them for two matches isn't sending the right message.

BCCI should meet the issue with the idea of personal development more than anything and both players should just sent an apology ensuring that nothing of this manner will happen in the future.