The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently uploaded some new policy guidelines on its official website. As per the new guidelines, the policy on the issue of age fraud has been updated.
Apparently, the decision to bring some changes was taken a few weeks back, on June 29 itself. The official implementation, however, commenced from this Wednesday when the board officially posted the new rules. As per the minutes of a meeting held at Delhi, on June 29, BCCI has relaxed the punishment for players who have committed age fraud. The old rules required players to serve their entire 2-year ban period before they could play any matches organised by the BCCI. However the new policy allows such players to play inter-club matches and tournaments during the second year of their suspension.
The new decision
The new decision comes only after the Committee of Administrators (CoA) approved the change. The CoA has been appointed by the Supreme Court of India to ensure the BCCI adheres to the recommendations of the Lodha Committee reforms. Ex-CAG Vinod Rai has been leading the panel since 2017.
Age fraud has been a consistent issue in the country’s junior age-level cricket. Very recently, the BCCI suspended Jammu and Kashmir bowler Rasikh Salam on the suspicions of birth-certificate tampering. The promising fast bowler had represented IPL franchise Mumbai Indians earlier this year. He looked on course to play the 2020 under-19 World Cup in South Africa before his ban. At the moment, it is unclear if Salam will be eligible to compete in the next edition of the IPL.
CoA’s influence over BCCI’s decisions
The CoA has been continually monitoring the functioning of the BCCI and has also has a part in decision making. Many consider BCCI’s recent decision to comply to the guidelines of the NADA to be a consequence of their influence.
How do you feel about the latest age fraud policy? Should the punishment be more strict? Should the board scrape of the punishment altogether? Let us know in the comments about your opinions.
