Chennai Super Kings new recruit accused of age fudging: Report

The U19 World Cup-winning player and CSK's new recruit Rajvardhan Hangargekar has come under scanner after the Commissioner of Sports and Youth Department, Maharashtra, Omprakash Bakoria made the claims that the player is involved in age-fudging, according to Saamana newspaper. 

The IAS officer has sent a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with the evidence against Hangargekar.

 “The conduct of Mr Rajvardhan Hangangekar is against the sports integrity and ethics. It 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,” Bakoria wrote.

Bakoria further wrote, “As per the inquiry and the report, it reveals that Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar has started his academic career from Terna Public School, Osmanabad. It is governed by the school code prescribed by the Government of Maharashtra.” “At the time of admission of Rajvardhan Hangargekar in 1st standard at Terna Public School (primary division) Osmanabad, the date of birth is provided as 10/01/2001. The school record speaks that the birth date of Mr Rajvardhan Hangagekar up to seventh standard is recorded as 10/01/2001.” The commissioner alleged that the school made “unauthorised corrections” to Hangargekar’s birth date.

“As per the general register maintained by the Terna Public School, Osmanabad, his birth date is 10/01/2001. It appears unauthorised corrections (were) made by the Head Master and his birth date is recorded as 10/11/2002 at the time of fresh application for 8th standard.” “If the headmaster requires any corrections in the birth date, it is necessary to take prior permission of the education officer of the concerned district. However, no such permission has been taken for making changes in the birth date of Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar."

“Therefore said corrections are made in excess of power and amount to cheating and forgery in government records,” the senior IAS officer stated.

According to the reports, Rajvardhan's actual age is 21 and his birth date was changed to November 10, 2002, from January 10, 2001, during his readmission in class VIII which made him eligible to play the U19 World Cup. 

The reports further add that the evidence that has been sent by Omprakash Bakoria to BCCI has the confirmation from Dharashiv Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Gupta that Rajvardhan Hungergekar’s date of birth was changed.

The pacer was recently bought by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a sum of INR 1.5 cr in the recently-concluded mega auction.