India's U-19 World Cup star Rajvardhan Hangargekar has been accused of age fraud, by Omprakash Bakoria, commissioner of the Sports and Youth Department, Maharashtra. The IAS officer has, reportedly, written a letter to the BCCI, with evidence against Hangargekar.
The young pace sensation was bought by Chennai Super Kings in the recent Indian Premier League mega auction, for Rs 1.5 crore.
According to Marathi publication Saamana, when taking readmission in Terna Public School in class 8, Hangargekar's date of birth was changed from January 10, 2001, to November 10, 2002, which made him eligible to play in the recently concluded U-19 World Cup.
Hangargekar played six matches at the World Cup, taking five wickets and helping India win their fifth U-19 World Cup title.
Hangargekar hails from Tuljapur in Maharashtra's Marathwada. He started off as an off-spinner before switching to pace bowling. In 2016, he was selected in Maharashtra's Under-16 squad for Vijay Merchant Trophy.
He was selected in the Maharashtra squad in the ongoing Ranji Trophy but will skip the league phase owing to his mother's illness.
But, with the age fraud allegation, it remains to be seen how it will affect his chances in the domestic tournament and the IPL.