In a significant crackdown on age fraud, six Hyderabad U-19 cricketers, including the team’s captain Chirag Yadav, were banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following an investigation that uncovered the use of forged birth certificates to manipulate players' ages. The investigation was triggered after complaints from concerned parents, which led the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) to seek assistance from local police.
The inquiry revealed that several players had falsified their ages in order to qualify for the Men’s U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, a prestigious cricket tournament. Four of the banned players, including captain Chirag Yadav, were integral members of the team’s core lineup. Police investigations confirmed that these players had submitted forged birth certificates, leading to the imposition of a two-year suspension from both the BCCI and HCA.
A source from the HCA explained the situation, stating, “We informed the police, who investigated the issue and found that six players had submitted forged birth certificates.” This investigation was further fueled by suspicions raised within the HCA when officials requested Aadhaar details from certain players to confirm their domicile. These checks uncovered irregularities that led to the discovery of the age fraud.
The players who were banned include Chirag Yadav, Anudeep Javaji, Divesh Bajaj, Gone Prem, Aditya Javaji, and Sai Chandra. The HCA listed these names on their official website, along with a press release indicating adjustments to the squad that was initially announced in September. The HCA also confirmed that the Junior Selection Committee convened to select replacements for the players who were withheld due to the ongoing age verification inquiry.
As a result of the suspensions, Anvit Reddy was appointed as the new captain of the Hyderabad U-19 team. Reddy led the team through the group stages of the tournament, but they were ultimately eliminated in the quarterfinals by Chhattisgarh.
The scandal has raised serious questions about the integrity of age verification processes in youth cricket and serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and diligence in maintaining fair competition. The HCA’s swift action in investigating and addressing the issue underscores its commitment to upholding the standards of the sport.
