13 Jan 2019

India name replacements for suspended duo

7:02 pm on 13 January 2019

Allrounder Vijay Shankar and batsman Shubman Gill will replace suspended cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya for India's upcoming tour of New Zealand.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul Photo: Actionplus

Shankar, who has played five Twenty20 internationals, will join the team before Tuesday's second one-day match against Australia in Adelaide, where India will try to level the three-game series after losing the opener in Sydney on Saturday night by 34 runs.

He will remain with the team for the tour of New Zealand where India are scheduled to play five one-dayers and three T20s.

Gill, 19, has been selected only for the tour of New Zealand, beginning on January 23 with a one-dayer in Napier.

Rahul and Pandya were suspended pending an investigation into comments they made this week about women on a TV show which had been condemned as sexist and inappropriate.

Rahul and Pandya, both of whom have featured recently in all formats for India, have been widely criticised for their remarks during the talk show Koffee with Karan.

As a consequence, Indian cricket's governing body, the BCCI, called the pair home to answer charges of misconduct and indiscipline.

Indian captain Virat Kohli said on Friday the "inappropriate comments" were something he and his team "definitely don't support".

Pandya has since expressed remorse, writing on social media: "I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way.

"Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone's sentiments. Respect."

-AAP/PA