BCCI Unlikely To Take Action Against Rajvardhan Hangargekar Over Age-Fraud Case

India U-19 cricketer Rajvardhan Hangargekar was charged against an age-fraud case by Maharashtra’s Commissioner of Sports and Youth Department, Omprakash Bakoria. He had written a formal letter with evidence against the young pacer as per a report in a Marathi newspaper Saamana.

Hangargekar played a key role in India’s fifth U-19 World Cup title win in the Caribbean earlier this year. However, the recent fraud case has put question marks over the future of his cricket career. The Indian all-rounder also bagged an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings for 1.5 crores.

Meanwhile, Omprakash Bakoria in his letter to the BCCI asked the board to take strict action against him. Hangargekar is 21 years old. He was a student of Terna Public School and during readmission in 8th class, his birth date was changed from January 10, 2001, to November 10, 2002. This enabled him to be eligible to play the U-19 World Cup for India.

“The conduct of Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar is against the sport’s integrity and ethics. lt deprives fair play and results into damages to the reputation of the nation. Therefore, you are requested to take strict action in accordance with the law,” stated Bakoria in his letter to Jay Shah, who is the current BCCI Secretary.

Omprakash Bakoria further said that the alleged cricketer was already 21 years old by the time he took part in the ICC Under 19 World Cup. The report further added that the complainant had the backing of Dharashiv Chief Executive Officer, Rahul Gupta.

Rajvardhan Hangargekar’s Conduct Is Against The Sport’s Integrity And Ethics: Omprakash Bakoria

“lf the Head Master requires any corrections in birth date, it is necessary to take prior permission of Education officer of concerned district. However, no such permission has been taken for making changes in the birth date of Mr. Rajvardhan Hangargekar from 10/01/2001 to 10/11/2002 by the Head Master of Terna Public School, Osmanabad. As per the report of Chief Executive Officer (lAS), Zilla Parishad, Osmanabad, the birth date of said player is 10/01/2001 and therefore, he has completed 21 years of age at the time of tournament,” Bakoria alleged.

However, despite strong proof, the BCCI is unlikely to take any action against the young cricketer. A BCCI official said that Hangargekar had first played for Maharashtra in 2016 and the tests confirmed that his age was the same as stated in the document.

Also Read: Rajvardhan Hangargekar Accused Of Committing Age-Fudging – Reports