In 2019, Indian cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya found themselves at the center of a nationwide controversy following their appearance on Karan Johar’s popular television show, Koffee With Karan. The episode, intended to showcase their off-field personalities, instead sparked widespread outrage, leading to their suspension from the Indian team just before a crucial series against Australia.
The backlash was triggered by comments made during the show, which many viewers found offensive and inappropriate. Hardik Pandya’s remarks were particularly criticised for being sexist, while KL Rahul, though less vocal, was also scrutinised for his involvement. The controversy escalated to such an extent that the episode was eventually removed from the streaming platform.
Reflecting on the incident in a recent conversation with on his podcast, KL Rahul opened up about how deeply the experience affected him. “That interview was a different world,” Rahul said. “It completely changed me. I was a very shy, soft-spoken boy growing up. Then I played for India and became very confident. I had no problem being in a huge group of people. But after that, everything changed.”
Rahul described the suspension as a shocking experience, comparing it to his school days when he had never faced such severe consequences. “I did mischievous things in school, but nothing to get me expelled or punished severely. Getting suspended from the team was something I never imagined,” he shared. “It scarred me massively. I didn’t know how to handle it.”
The incident left Rahul bitter and angry for some time, but he eventually came to terms with it. In an earlier interview with *The Times of India*, he acknowledged that the episode had affected him deeply. “I understood that certain things are sensitive, and no matter what you do, some people will find the bad in you,” he reflected.
The controversy serves as a stark reminder of how public figures must navigate their off-field personas, especially in the age of social media, where comments can lead to significant real-world consequences.
