Manjot Kalra Age Fraud – U-19 star suspended from Ranji Trophy

Domestic cricket in India has always been under the impression of misrepresentation of age, and the 2018 Under-19 World Cup hero ‘Manjot Kalra Age Fraud’ is a new addition to the probe. The young centurion and star of the Under 19 final was suspended by the outgoing DDCA Ombudsman for one year from playing Ranji Trophy. Manjot Kalra is one of the celebrated upcoming talents in  Indian Cricket, and this suspension has put an unwanted label on him.
Manjot Kalra was responsible for India’s victory in the finals of the Under 19 World Cup, as he smashed a century to seize the day in favor of the nation. As per the PTI report, the budding sportsman has been served with the punishment for an offense allegedly committed during his U-16 and U-19 days. While this is not good news for the representation of Indian Cricket, Manjot Kalra is not the only one compiled with the accusations.
Vice-captain of Delhi Team in the Ranji Trophy, Nitish Rana too has been warned and given time to present his documents. Shivam Mavi, another budding cricketer ready to represent India on the International level has been handed to the BCCI. Mavi plays senior-level cricket for Uttar Pradesh and the overtaking committee has forwarded his case to the BCCI for further investigation.
Not only will Manjot Kalra sit out of Ranji Trophy for one year, but the youngster will also be banned from age-group cricket for two years. Kalra, who scored 80 playing for Delhi last week, was all set to replace Shikhar Dhawan in the Ranji squad, but he will not be allowed to participate in the Ranji Trophy for the complete season. Looking at a way in which this decision could come from a state of frustration, the curiosity increases when you get to know the Justice Durrez Ahmed, who is responsible for the ban on the player, passed the verdict on the final day of his tenure.
DDCA general secretary, Vinod Tihara looked quite surprised after the verdict and rightly expressed his anguish. He said, “He has been prevented from playing club matches also. Now his parents will have to appeal for a change of order in front of the new Ombudsman. Till then DDCA can’t pick him for Ranji Trophy. We are helpless.”
He continued his agony on the decision and said, “I find it surprising that Manjot Kalra has been punished for the same offense 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, a day before he relinquished office. Now that’s a bit bizarre.”
Now that the old Ombudsman is not there, the question is pointed at the newly appointed Justice Deepak Verma, whether he will be conducting a fresh inquiry or not. Has the January-born cricketer fallen prey to his birth month or is this decision a part of inner battle within the DDCA? What are your thoughts about this decision?