Rohit Yadav Out of India U-19 Squad Over Age Issue

Bengal leg-spinner Rohit Yadav has been withdrawn from India’s Under-19 squads for the upcoming home series against Australia after discrepancies were found in his age-related records. The BCCI has named Saurashtra’s Aryan Savsani as his replacement in the One-Day squad and Haryana’s Tanmay Baloda for the Multi-Day team. 

The BCCI’s Junior Cricket Committee announced the changes on Tuesday. Rohit had initially been selected for both the One-Day and Multi-Day fixtures against Australia U-19, which will be played in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. 

Rohit withdrawn after age discrepancy

According to the BCCI, Rohit was removed from both squads because of age discrepancies. The board’s latest official release confirms his withdrawal but does not provide details of the documents or the specific discrepancy. 

Reports based on the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) verification process say Rohit was handed a two-year banafter irregularities were detected during a pre-season documentation review. He had been part of India’s U-19 tour of Sri Lanka in July. 

The reported discrepancy in his age is 27 months, according to information attributed to the CAB. The episode is part of a wider scrutiny of age-related documentation in Bengal age-group cricket.

Aryan Savsani gets One-Day opportunity

The BCCI has selected Aryan Savsani of the Saurashtra Cricket Association to replace Rohit in the One-Day squad.

Savsani joins a squad led by Lakshya Raichandani, with Yashbardhan Chauhan serving as vice-captain. The team also includes Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid, who were part of the original squad announced last month. 

For Savsani, the late change provides an opportunity to be part of an India U-19 side facing Australia in a three-match One-Day series.

Tanmay Baloda added to Multi-Day team

Tanmay Baloda of Haryana Cricket Association has been brought into the Multi-Day squad in place of Rohit.

The longer-format team will be captained by Yashbardhan Chauhan, with Lakshya Raichandani as his deputy. The squad also features two wicketkeepers — Manav Krishna and Abhipray Biswas. 

The two replacements mean Rohit’s place has been filled separately in each format rather than by a single player.

Australia U-19 series schedule

India U-19 will host Australia U-19 for three One-Day matches and two Multi-Day fixtures.

The three One-Day games will be played in Rajkot on September 18, 21 and 23. The first Multi-Day fixture will also be held in Rajkot from September 27 to 30, while the second will take place in Ahmedabad from October 5 to 8. 

The series is part of India’s preparation and development programme for its next generation of international cricketers.

Wider age-verification issue in Bengal

Rohit’s case has emerged amid broader scrutiny of age documentation in Bengal cricket. Reports have said the CAB flagged dozens of players for discrepancies, including former India U-19 World Cup winner Ravi Kumar. 

However, individual cases should be distinguished from one another. A documentation discrepancy does not by itself establish deliberate manipulation unless the relevant disciplinary process determines that.

In Rohit’s case, the BCCI has confirmed his withdrawal from the Australia U-19 squads because of age discrepancies, while reports separately state that a two-year ban was imposed.

India U-19 One-Day Squad

Lakshya Raichandani (C), Yashbardhan Chauhan (VC), Rajat Baghel (WK), Aaryavir Sehwag, V.K. Vineet, Kushagra Ojha, Arjun Rajput, Manal Chauhan, Anvay Dravid (WK), V. Yashveer, Shavin Vinodh, Mohit Ulva, Chigurupati Venkata, Kavya Patel, Aryan Savsani. 

India U-19 Multi-Day Squad

Yashbardhan Chauhan (C), Lakshya Raichandani (VC), Sagar Virk, Kushagra Ojha, Manal Chauhan, Kush Patel, Manav Krishna (WK), Abhipray Biswas (WK), Ishan Om, Ayaan Akram, Pranav Ragavendra, Priyanshu Singh, Mohit Ulva, Aryan Yadav, Tanmay Baloda.