Rajvardhan Hangargekar Has Been Charged With Age Fraud, According To Reports

Maharashtra’s Commissioner of Sports and Youth Department, Omprakash Bakoria, has accused India’s U-19 World Cup all-rounder Rajvardhan Hangargekar of age-fudging.

Hangargekar played a key part in the recent U-19 World Cup victory in the West Indies. Following his performance there, he landed a lucrative IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the super auction for the IPL 2022. However, if Hangargekar is found guilty of interfering with his age, it might all be for naught. According to a report in the Saamana daily, Bakoria, an IAS official, has filed a formal letter to the BCCI with proof against Hangargekar.

Hangargekar is actually 21 years old, according to the letter. He was a student at Terna Public School, and his birth date was altered from January 10, 2001, to November 10, 2002, during his readmission in eighth grade. As a consequence, he was qualified for the U-19 World Cup. According to the report, Bakoria has received the support of Dharashiv Chief Executive Officer Rahul Gupta.

A similar issue was been dealt with harshly by the BCCI. Rasikh Salam Dar, a Kashmiri cricketer, earned a two-year suspension from the BCCI after being found guilty of age-fudging.