Filmmaker and television host Karan Johar has finally addressed a question that fans have long asked: Why has Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli never appeared on his celebrity talk show, ‘Koffee With Karan’?

In a conversation with tennis star Sania Mirza, Johar revealed that his decision stems from a major controversy involving cricketers that shook both the show and the cricketing world.

“I have never asked Virat for the show. After what happened with Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, I am not asking any cricketer,” Johar admitted. “There are many people who I felt would not come, so I never asked them.”

Johar was referring to the infamous 2019 episode featuring Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, which became one of the show’s most controversial moments. During the episode, Pandya made a series of sexist and inappropriate remarks about women, boasting about his nightlife and relationships in a manner widely condemned as misogynistic. The comments sparked outrage on social media, in news outlets, and among cricket fans nationwide.

KL Rahul appeared alongside his teammate Hardik Pandya and handled the conversation calmly, while Pandya’s comments drew intense criticism. He boasted about personal sexual experiences and made remarks about women that were considered offensive, prompting widespread backlash.

The controversy led the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to issue show-cause notices to both players and suspend them from the national team pending an inquiry. Both Pandya and Rahul later issued public apologies. Rahul described the suspension as emotionally difficult and a turning point in his career, acknowledging that the incident taught him to be more careful with his words in public.

Since the Pandya–Rahul episode, no cricketer has been invited to ‘Koffee With Karan’, as Johar continues to exercise caution when selecting guests outside the film industry.

Known for its glitzy set, rapid-fire rounds, and celebrity confessions, ‘Koffee With Karan’ has hosted Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Ranveer Singh. The 2019 cricket controversy remains a rare instance where the show’s trademark irreverence resulted in nationwide backlash.