Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 08: BCCI has withdrawn a player from India U19 squads over age discrepancies. Two replacements have been named ahead of upcoming fixtures against Australia U19.
BCCI has acted against alleged age fraud in junior cricket. The board withdrew leg-spinner Rohit Yadav from India’s U19 squads. This followed reported discrepancies in his age documentation. Two replacement players have since been named.
Squad Changes Confirmed
Aryan Savsani will replace Yadav in the One-Day squad. He represents the Saurashtra Cricket Association domestically. Tanmay Baloda takes his place in the Multi-Day squad. Baloda plays for the Haryana Cricket Association.
Yadav had been named for India’s fixtures against Australia U19. Those matches are scheduled across Rajkot and Ahmedabad. His withdrawal came specifically due to age discrepancies, BCCI confirmed.
Documentation Review Raised Concerns
The case follows a detailed review by Bengal’s cricket association. BCCI’s own age-verification cell also participated in the process. Investigators reportedly found inconsistencies across Yadav’s official documents.
Contrasting birth certificates were among the flagged discrepancies. Aadhaar records reportedly showed varying birth years too. These ranged between 2006 and 2010, according to reports.
Yadav received a two-year ban from BCCI-sanctioned competitions. This covers both domestic and age-group cricket. He had recently taken six wickets during India U19’s Sri Lanka tour.
Wider Enforcement Context
This case emerges amid broader scrutiny of junior cricket documentation. Reports indicate over 60 Bengal players faced suspension recently. Those suspensions also involved alleged age discrepancies.
BCCI’s statement framed the action as part of ongoing vigilance. The board has signalled continued strictness toward document manipulation. State cricket associations remain subject to similar scrutiny going forward.
India’s revised U19 One-Day squad now includes Savsani among fifteen players. Captain Lakshya Raichandani leads the side, with Yashbardhan Chauhan as vice-captain. The Multi-Day squad, led by Chauhan, now features Baloda in its lineup.
Both squads will need to adjust ahead of the Australia series. Selectors have not indicated further changes beyond these two replacements.
