Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul landed in trouble following their appearance on Koffee With Karan, the famous reality show hosted by Bollywood producer Karan Johar. Pandya had brazenly bragged about his prowess with women on the show, and it did not go down well with the viewers, who called his remarks "misogynistic."

In a recent interview with a news agency, Hardik Pandya opened up on the controversy and admitted how it was a difficult period for him. He also mentioned that he did not know the meaning of 'misogynistic.' Hardik Pandya was reportedly quoted as saying, "I really didn't know what 'misogynistic' meant. At first, I laughed thinking it was some word being used to make fun of me. Then a friend said, it means someone who strongly dislikes women. How can I dislike women? Mom, didi (sister), bhabhi (sister-in-law), Natasa - they're all women. I adore them. My home is all about women. We are, because they are."

He added, "For the first time, I wasn't in control of my own life. Everything around me started to crumble. I had to lock myself up. If not for my family, I'd have lost a great deal of everything. They were and continue to remain the backbone - the women in my family. Today, it's my turn to be the backbone of my family. I grew up in a family where there was absolute freedom. We were taught to make our own decisions. I'll give my son the same freedom. We were raised in very tough times. Money was always an issue in the family. We struggled. But we were happy. Cricket gave me and my brother something to fight for. Cricket is once again putting my life in perspective."

During the show which happened in January 2019, Pandya had boasted about his "hook-ups" with several women and said he liked to observe women at bars or nightclubs. Following severe criticism for the comments, Pandya and Rahul were suspended for an indefinite period by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The duo was also asked for an explanation about their alleged misconduct and indiscipline by the BCCI.