Facing criticism for their impasse on the issue of India cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul post sexist remarks in a TV show, the Committee of Administrators (COA) on Thursday decided to provisionally lift suspension on the duo till a solution is reached.

But this decision was not reached so easily.

Going by an insider's account, it came after the Supreme Court-appointed COA chief Vinod Rai sought all the legal opinions on how to deal with the disciplinary issue.

He was left with two options: To allow BCCI members to call an emergent special general meeting (SGM) to appoint the ombudsman, as necessitated by the new Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) constitution. Or, seek directions of the apex court in appointing ombudsman without consent of BCCI members.

As there was news that the SC hearing may be delayed till February 5 or even to a later date, it was felt that both the players' career will be affected due to board's inner fighting.

The source added that as India captain Virat Kohli repeatedly demanded an immediate decision on Pandya in the wake of World Cup in England in about four months, a need was felt to reach a quick decision the cricketing duo's availability.

"COA discussed the entire issue with new amicus curiae, PS Narasimha," said a senior BCCI official on Thursday.

The COA issued a statement: "COA had, by emails dated 11.01.2019, and in exercise of Rule 41(6) of the Constitution of BCCI, suspended Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul in view of the allegations of misconduct against them, pending adjudication of the allegations under Rule 46 of the approved BCCI Constitution."

Pandya and Rahul were sent home mid-tour from Australia after the controversy broke out. The former played two Tests, while the latter didn't play any game in Australia.

Pressure from Kohli

Both Pandya and Rahul were banned by BCCI for making sexist and controversial remarks on Karan Johar's Koffee With Karan show.

However, Kohli is said to have minced no words during the ongoing New Zealand tour that he is missing Pandya and wants him back in the team, said the insider.

Kohli is said to have stressed on the team's compulsion to play a third pacer in playing XI because if an all-rounder can chip in with a few overs of seam up, then you don't necessarily need a bowler bowling 140-kmph as the third bowler.

With World Cup hardly four months away, Indian team management was justified in its demand to decide on the final playing eleven in England.

"Either Pandya is in the scheme of things for WC or he is definitely be dropped altogether, whatever be the outcome of inquiry. Team should not suffer because of our indecision," said another senior official of the board.

The fight within BCCI has been there. But it is the disagreements between COA members — Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji — that has made the administration difficult for all the employees at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.

The former India women's team skipper has even reached SC corridors to get a clarity on her position, in case of her disagreement on key issue like clearing CEO Rahul Johri of sexual harassment charges despite her clear dissent.

And with acting BCCI president CK Khanna aligning with Rai on not allowing his colleagues to call for an emergent SGM, there was no one stopping COA from postponing the indiscipline hearing for an unknown time.

As thing stands, sources say Pandya is likely to join team in New Zealand from third ODI onwards, while Rahul will be included in India 'A' team against England Lions.

"Selectors have not received any communication from team management so far. The matter is likely to be discussed only tomorrow (Friday) because it is late night there in New Zealand," a senior official explained.