New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made two changes to India’s Under-19 squads after leg-spinner Rohit Yadav was withdrawn following discrepancies in his age-related documents.
The board has also imposed a two-year ban on the youngster from participating in BCCI-sanctioned domestic and age-group cricket.
The action comes amid a renewed crackdown on age-related document manipulation in Indian junior cricket. The BCCI has replaced Rohit in both the Under-19 One-Day and Multi-Day squads for the upcoming series against Australia Under-19.
Rohit Yadav withdrawn from India U19 squads
Rohit Yadav had been selected in India’s Under-19 squads for the upcoming fixtures against Australia U19 in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. However, he has now been removed from both teams after the BCCI’s age-verification process identified discrepancies in his official records.
The BCCI said the decision followed an extensive documentation review conducted by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and the board’s age-verification cell.
According to the report, investigators found inconsistencies across multiple official documents, including conflicting birth certificates and repeated changes to Aadhaar records. The documents reportedly showed different years of birth ranging from 2006 to 2010.
The discrepancies resulted in the BCCI taking disciplinary action against the player.
Two-year ban imposed by BCCI
Rohit, a leg-spinner who had recently impressed during India’s Under-19 tour of Sri Lanka, has been banned for two years from all BCCI-sanctioned domestic and age-group competitions.
The ban represents a significant setback for a player who had earned selection for India’s Under-19 team.
Rohit had recently made headlines with his bowling performances and claimed six wickets during India’s tour of Sri Lanka. His selection for the Australia series had provided another opportunity to establish himself at the international junior level.
The latest development means he will now be unavailable for BCCI competitions during the period covered by the disciplinary action.
The BCCI’s decision also underlines the importance the board places on accurate age documentation, particularly in junior cricket where players compete within specific age categories.
Aryan Savsani replaces Rohit in One-Day squad
The BCCI has named Saurashtra Cricket Association’s Aryan Savsani as Rohit’s replacement in the India Under-19 One-Day squad.
The revised One-Day squad is led by Lakshya Raichandani, with Yashbardhan Chauhan as vice-captain.
The updated squad includes:
- Lakshya Raichandani (captain)
- Yashbardhan Chauhan (vice-captain)
- Rajat Baghel (wicketkeeper)
- Aaryavir Sehwag
- V.K. Vineet
- Kushagra Ojha
- Arjun Rajput
- Manal Chauhan
- Anvay Dravid (wicketkeeper)
- V. Yashveer
- Shavin Vinodh
- Mohit Ulva
- Chigurupati Venkata
- Kavya Patel
- Aryan Savsani
Savsani’s inclusion gives him an opportunity to step into the squad for the upcoming matches against Australia Under-19.
Tanmay Baloda comes into Multi-Day squad
For the Multi-Day fixtures, Haryana Cricket Association’s Tanmay Baloda has been selected as Rohit’s replacement.
The Multi-Day squad is captained by Yashbardhan Chauhan, with Lakshya Raichandani serving as vice-captain.
The revised squad consists of:
- Yashbardhan Chauhan (captain)
- Lakshya Raichandani (vice-captain)
- Sagar Virk
- Kushagra Ojha
- Manal Chauhan
- Kush Patel
- Manav Krishna (wicketkeeper)
- Abhipray Biswas (wicketkeeper)
- Ishan Om
- Ayaan Akram
- Pranav Ragavendra
- Priyanshu Singh
- Mohit Ulva
- Aryan Yadav
- Tanmay Baloda
The changes ensure that India’s preparations for the Australia Under-19 fixtures can continue despite Rohit’s withdrawal.
BCCI steps up age-verification process
The latest case comes against the backdrop of increasing scrutiny over age fraud in Indian junior cricket.
Age-group cricket is particularly vulnerable to attempts to manipulate birth records because eligibility is directly linked to a player’s age. Such manipulation can potentially give an ineligible player an advantage over others competing for selection.
The BCCI’s latest action sends a strong message that discrepancies in official documentation can lead to serious consequences.
The board’s age-verification process involves examining documents submitted by players and associations. In Rohit’s case, investigators reportedly found conflicting records across different documents, prompting further scrutiny and ultimately disciplinary action.
Bengal age-discrepancy cases add to concern
The development also follows reports that more than 60 players in Bengal have been suspended amid allegations of age discrepancies.
The Cricket Association of Bengal’s documentation review, along with the BCCI’s own verification mechanism, has brought renewed attention to the problem.
However, each case needs to be assessed individually, and an allegation or suspension should not automatically be treated as proof of deliberate fraud unless established through the relevant disciplinary process.
The BCCI’s action against Rohit Yadav, however, is clear: he has been withdrawn from India’s Under-19 squads and handed a two-year ban following the discrepancies identified in his records.
What the action means for Indian junior cricket
The latest development could encourage greater scrutiny of documentation at the grassroots level.
For young cricketers, selection for state and national age-group teams can represent a major step towards professional cricket. Accurate birth records are therefore essential to ensuring that selection remains fair.
The BCCI’s intervention also puts responsibility on players, parents, academies and state associations to maintain consistent and authentic documentation.
The board’s zero-tolerance approach could result in further reviews if additional discrepancies are detected.
Australia U19 series now in focus
With the two replacements confirmed, India’s Under-19 squad can now focus on its upcoming assignments against Australia Under-19.
The series will provide an important opportunity for several young players to gain international-level experience and strengthen their claims for future senior cricket.
For Aryan Savsani and Tanmay Baloda, the changes create an unexpected opportunity to represent India at the Under-19 level.
For Rohit Yadav, however, the immediate priority will be to address the consequences of the disciplinary action.
The episode serves as a reminder that talent alone is not enough to build a cricket career. Players seeking a place in India’s competitive age-group system must also ensure that their eligibility records and documentation meet the requirements of the governing body.