Manjot Kalra, the left-handed opening batsman from Delhi, who scored a brilliant century in India U19’s 2018 World Cup win, was handed a one-year ban from playing Ranji Trophy, for an alleged age-fraud during his U-16 and U-19 days.

This sentence was given by the outgoing DDCA Ombudsman Justice (Retired) Badr Durrez Ahmed. Meanwhile, for the same offense, Delhi vice-captain Nitish Rana was let-off by the official, as the office sought more documents to check his age. Another U19 star Shivam Mavi's case has been referred to the BCCI since he now represents Uttar Pradesh in senior cricket.

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The DDCA ombudsman passed the order on his final day which prevents Kalra from playing age-group cricket for two years but more importantly denying him a chance to play Ranji Trophy for this season. Kalra, whose official age as per BCCI records is 20 years 351 days, participated in a U23 match for Delhi against Bengal and made 80 runs. He was also in line to replace Shikhar Dhawan in the Delhi Ranji team.

"I find it surprising that Manjot Kalra has been punished for the same offense that Nitish Rana is also allegedly guilty of. We couldn't pick Manjot as it was Ombudsman's order. He passed it at 11:30 pm at night, a day before he relinquished office. Now that's a bit bizarre," DDCA general secretary Vinod Tihara told PTI.

However, the ombudsman had asked for more documents from his school DAV Centenary, Narela and seek specific birth-certificate related documents and place before the next hearing.

What everyone is failing to understand is how Kalra can be prevented from playing senior level cricket for age-fraud? "He has been prevented from playing club matches also. Now his parents will have to appeal for a change of order in front of the new Ombudsman. Till then DDCA can't pick him for Ranji Trophy. We are helpless," Tihara said.

(PTI inputs)