Kolkata: The shocking news has just emerged that Under-19 leg-spinner Rohit Yadav, who travelled to Sri Lanka with India barely a month and a half ago, has been handed a two-year ban after allegedly committing age fraud. As if that was not enough, reports have now revealed that the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has barred as many as 64 other players from taking part in official cricket matches after discrepancies were found in their ages.
Age Discrepancy of 27 Months!
The sensational development has triggered renewed debate over Indian domestic cricket. The country’s domestic cricket system has been rocked by the discovery.
Rohit Yadav has represented Bengal in various age-group tournaments. It is reported that there was a discrepancy of 27 months between the age he declared and the age established during the verification process. This information was reportedly provided by the CAB and published by a leading cricket website.
All state and Union Territory cricket associations affiliated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have been informed about the bans imposed on these players.
How Did the Scandal Come to Light?
The Cricket Association of Bengal had just begun its routine document-verification drive ahead of the new season when officials discovered discrepancies in the ages of a large number of players.
Rohit Yadav Will Not Travel to Australia
India’s Under-19 cricketers are scheduled to travel to Australia this month for five One-Day matches and two multi-day games. However, Rohit Yadav has been removed from the squad for the tour.
The India Under-19 squad travelling to Australia also includes Virender Sehwag’s son Aryavir Sehwag and Rahul Dravid’s son Anvay Dravid.
World Cup Player Also on the List
West Bengal left-handed batter and left-arm pace bowler Ravi Kumar performed impressively at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup. India, led by Yash Dhull, went on to win the tournament.
In the final against England, Ravi Kumar claimed four wickets for 34 runs. One of his victims was England opener Jacob Bethell, who was dismissed for two runs.
However, Ravi Kumar’s name has now appeared on the list of players facing action following the age-discrepancy investigation in Bengal. He had also earned a place in Bengal’s senior team in the same year.
All Records to Be Scrapped
All of Ravi Kumar’s records across age-group cricket up to the 2025-26 season will now be declared null and void. In other words, the statistics from the early part of his career will effectively be erased.
According to a report by a leading website, the age-verification investigation found a discrepancy of 40 months in Ravi Kumar’s case.
Let’s Understand the System
Normally, the age-verification process for Under-19 players involves checking birth certificates, school and college records, as well as other required documents.
However, a growing number of cases are now emerging in which players allegedly submitted incorrect certificates and, due to shortcomings in the verification process, managed to play at the junior level.
In 2020, the BCCI introduced an amnesty scheme under which players were encouraged to voluntarily disclose discrepancies in the documents they had submitted. Players who cooperated with the scheme were not suspended, while action was taken against those found to have violated the rules.
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