Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill to replace Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul in Australia, New Zealand

Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar will replace suspended Hardik Pandya for India's ongoing ODI series in Australia while Punjab opener Shubman Gill will be joining the national team during the limited over series in New Zealand.

Initially, the selectors had picked Mayank Agarwal for K L Rahul and Vijay Shankar for Pandya but it has been learnt that Agarwal is nursing a niggle", a source close to the selection committee told PTI.   

"That is why the team management has asked for only one replacement in Australia and that is Shankar. And Shubman Gill is being rewarded for his good show in Ranji Trophy and A-tours," a source told. 

READ: MASSIVE: KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya Left Out Of First ODI Against Australia Following Sexist Comments On TV Show

Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry into their sexist comments on a TV show, ruling them out of the three-match ODI series against Australia.

They have already returned home from Australia as the BCCI suspended them Friday for their outrage-evoking comments on women, hours after the duo's on-field leader Virat Kohli expressed his disapproval.

The 27-year-old Shankar is a middle-order batsman from Tamil Nadu who can also bowl medium pace. He has played in five T20s.

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Earlier, Hardik Pandya, who was served with a show cause notice by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over his 'derogatory' comments against women on the chat show "Koffee with Karan", expressed regret over the incident.

"As you are aware, I made an appearance on the chat show where I have made certain statements without realizing that these could be disrespectful and offend sensitivities of viewers for which I am sincerely regretful," Pandya said in an official statement.

He also took to social media and apologised for the incident saying he 'may have got a bit carried away with the nature of the show'.

Here's what his statement read, "After reflecting on my comments on Koffee With Karan, 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." 

READ: Hardik Pandya Apologises For Sexist Misogynist Comments On 'Koffee With Karan'. Here's What The Cricketer Said

(With PTI inputs)