Koffee With Karan has always earned a reputation for being a show that lands people in controversies, but sometimes the controversies aren’t mere gossip feeders, but they land people in major troubles.
BCCI Suspension
Hardik Pandya’s comments on Koffee with Karan have cost him more than his reputation. He was handed suspensions immediately after the incident from BCCI and will not be part of any form of cricket until he answers to the charges of misconduct and indiscipline. Both Rahul and Pandya faced these charges and received major flak for their racists and sexists comments on the show.
The suspension from BCCI came as a shock to Pandya and he had to miss the entire three-match ODI series against Australia. Twitter trolls and memes haven’t stopped taking down his reputation in a big way on social media. Despite the open apology that Pandya made using Twitter, the aftermaths have been bigger than probably he would have imagined. Its been only second time in 82 years that a cricketer has been sent back from a series following disciplinary charges.
'I can definitely say that as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers we definitely don't align with those views'
Virat Kohli on the comments made by Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul on an Indian TV show https://t.co/AnIOSF1aJT pic.twitter.com/0FxQxRp5tE
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 11, 2019
Brands End Association
Not just the cricket board, but even the brands have started turning him down. As a result of his derogatory comments on the show, Gillette, the leading shaving blade brand has called of its association with Pandya with an immediate effect.
The brand had roped in Pandya just last October to launch the Gillette MACH 3, but the recent turn of events led to this fallout
“Hardik Pandya’s recent comments do not reflect the values of Gillette. We have suspended our association with Hardik until we decide on further course of action,” a Gillette India spokesperson said.
Going forward, even other brands are contemplating their association with the cricketer as it’s a matter of brand reputation as well and no brand would like to attach their name in incidents involving sexist remarks. Currently, Pandya promotes around 7 brands, and these fallouts could cost him a fortune.
Seems like the fun on Koffee with Karan has brought Pandya’s career, reputation, and income to a standstill. The time will tell whether this is just a big speed breaker to a dead end.
