India batsman KL Rahul is "very respectful towards women" and it was sad to see him become a subject of nationwide criticism in the wake of his and Hardik Pandya's sexist remarks on a chat chow, Kings XI Punjab co-owner and noted actor Preity Zinta said Friday.

Both Rahul and Pandya were handed a provisional suspension for their controversial comments on 'Koffee with Karan', a show Zinta herself has appeared on. Their suspension was lifted but they still face a BCCI inquiry conducted by Ombudsman DK Jain.