Manjot Kalra Slapped With One-Year Suspension From Playing Ranji Trophy

Manjot Kalra, the hero of India’s triumph at the 2018 U19 World Cup, has received another setback in his short career so far as he has been suspended from playing Ranji Trophy. The Delhi youngster, who recently went unsold in the IPL auction, has been punished for alleged age-fudging during his U16 and U19 days.

The outgoing DDCA Ombudsman has suspended the left-handed batsman for one year. Justice (Retired) Badr Durrez Ahmed passed an order on his final day, preventing Kalra from playing age-group cricket for two years. And to make things worse for Manjot Kalra, he also denied the batsman the chance to play in the Ranji Trophy for one year.

Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane Reveals Mantra To Succeed In New Zealand

Manjot Kalra recently turned up for Delhi although in age-level cricket as he represented the team at U23 level against Bengal and scored a fine 80. Delhi were set to name him in their Ranji Trophy squad as a replacement for senior opener Shikhar Dhawan for the upcoming game against Punjab. But with the batsman now suspended, Delhi named right-handed middle-order batsman Vaibhav Kandpal in the squad.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

“I find it surprising that Manjot Kalra has been punished for the same offence that Nitish Rana is also allegedly guilty of. We couldn’t pick Manjot as it was Ombudsman’s order. He passed it at 11:30 pm at night, a day before he relinquished office. Now that’s a bit bizarre,” DDCA general secretary Vinod Tihara told PTI.

Tihara went on to make it clear that he is surprised with Manjot Kalra’s suspension from Ranji Trophy. And while he rued the punishment, he stated that Delhi cannot pick the player for Ranji Trophy games.

“He has been prevented from playing club matches also. Now his parents will have to appeal for a change of order in front of new Ombudsman. Till then DDCA can’t pick him for Ranji Trophy. We are helpless,” Tihara said.

Career so far:

Manjot Kalra had become an overnight sensation after scoring an unbeaten century in the final against Australia and picking the Man of the Match award at the U19 World Cup. The performance also helped him bag a contract from Indian Premier League outfit Delhi Capitals although he could not make his debut for the franchise despite being their part for two seasons.

Delhi Capitals released the youngster this year and he went unsold in the auction. He has also not managed to become a regular face in Delhi’s domestic side and has played just two T20s so far. He played both the games in March this year and managed to score only 13 before being dropped.