Manjot Kalra handed one-year suspension for age fraud

Batsman Manjot Kalra, who scored a sensational century in the 2018 U-19 World Cup final has been handed a one-year suspension from the Ranji Trophy for age fraud. He has been handed the punishment by outgoing DDCA Ombudsman Badar Durrez Ahmed for an offence committed during his U-16 and U-19 playing days. Nitish Rana and Shivam Mavi are also under the scanner for the same offence.

Manjot Kalra scored 252 runs in the 2018 edition of the tournament in New Zealand, opening the batting alongside Prithvi Shaw. He came up with a man-of-the-match performance in the final, scoring an unbeaten 101 against Australia.

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The outgoing Ombudsman handed the suspension to Kalra on the final day of his tenure. With the verdict, Kalra will be unable to participate in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi as well as other club matches for a year. Speaking to PTI, DDCA general secretary Vinod Tihara said:

“He has been prevented from playing club matches also. Now his parents will have to appeal for a change of order in front of new Ombudsman. Till then DDCA can’t pick him for Ranji Trophy. We are helpless.”

KKR and Delhi batsman Nitish Rana could also face a similar fate. Rana has been asked to submit further documents on his age proof, in order to prove his innocence. Shivam Mavi, another U-19 star and Rana’s KKR teammate will see his case being passed on to the BCCI. The pacer no longer represents Delhi in domestic competitions, now plying his trade for Uttar Pradesh.