Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar called in as replacements for KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya

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Shubman Gill and all-rounder Vijay Shankar have been called into the Indian side for the ODI series against Australia and the subsequent tour of New Zealand as a replacement for the suspended duo of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for their comments on a popular TV show Koffee With Karan.

Both Hardik and Rahul were banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from playing any form of cricket which comes under them or any state associations and ordered them to return home mid-way through the ongoing tour of Australia to take part in "an enquiry and proceedings … against them for misconduct and indiscipline".

A release from the governing body read: "The CoA [committee of administrators] in accordance with the BCCI has decided to suspend Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul from playing any form of cricket after their comments on a TV show. The duo will now return to India and an enquiry and proceedings will be made against them for misconduct and indiscipline that have been initiated under rule 41 of the BCCI constitution."

The reposts also read, "The CoA first sent out a notice to both players concerned to which the players responded with an apology. After considering their reply, it was decided that the BCCI would proceed against both for misconduct and indiscipline. The duo is now called upon to provide an explanation as to why they should not be proceeded against for misconduct and indiscipline under rule 41 of the BCCI constitution within a period of seven days."

This is the maiden call-up for Punjab batsman Shubman, who has done well consistently well with the bat for his teams. Vijay Shankar, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit and has played a handful of T20Is for India.

Vijay will join the team in Australia ahead of the second ODI while Shubman will join them in New Zealand ahead of the ODI series.

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