Just like after India's previous Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2018, when an age fudge case came to light as Manjot Kalra was banned for two years, another age fraud controversy has hit Indian cricket and this time, the allegations have come from the Sports Commissioner of Maharashtra.  

Pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar has been accused of age fraud and a complaint has been sent to the BCCI. 

According to a report published in Saamna newspaper, Omprakash Bakoria, Commissioner of Sports and Youth Department, Maharashtra, has written to the BCCI about the alleged age fraud by fast bowler Hangargekar along with evidence against the pacer. 

According to the report, Hangergekar's real age is 21. It states that during his readmission in the eighth standard, Hangargekar's date of birth was changed from January 10, 2001, to November 10, 2002. This change allowed him to participate in the Under-19 World Cup which India won, after beating England in the final. 

Troubles for Rajvardhan Hangargekar.
He has been accused of concealing age, Sports Commissioner writes to BCCI. He was part of the latest U19 victory and was bought by CSK in the IPL Mega auction pic.twitter.com/vQDoApkZN4

— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) February 18, 2022

Hangargekar played six matches in the U19 World Cup and picked up five wickets but it was his pace that caught the attention of fans and cricket experts.  

After impressing one and all with his bowling, the pacer generated a lot of interest at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction.  

Raj Bawa - Bought by PBKS
Rajvardhan Hangargekar - Bought by CSK

An unforgettable moment for the young guns #IPLMegaAuction2022 #IPLAuction #IPLMegaAuction #RajBawa #RajvardhanHangargekar pic.twitter.com/lhcYCr62Yo

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) February 13, 2022

Three teams including defending champions Chennai Super Kings and five-time trophy winners Mumbai Indians went after him but it was MS Dhoni's side that managed to sign him up with a whopping Rs 1.5 crore bid.  

After the report of alleged age fraud came to light, fans took to Twitter to express their shock over the development and expressed their fear of losing out on a potential matchwinner.  

Not another career going down… https://t.co/xS8dd4jpQ4

— TSG (@hooosier__daddy) February 18, 2022

wait what https://t.co/YZm7W10Prd

— Depressed Ruturaj Fan (@AcidicBlaster) February 18, 2022

Troubles for Rajvardhan Hangargekar.
He has been accused of concealing age, Sports Commissioner writes to BCCI. He was part of the latest U19 victory and was bought by CSK in the IPL Mega auction pic.twitter.com/vQDoApkZN4

— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) February 18, 2022

Unfortunate & unacceptable, but for a guy who's struggled throughout his life, I hope the punishment is not harsh. You wouldn't wanna hurt the progression of such an amazingly talented cricketer. https://t.co/rY2VB8NFp5

— Ayush (@abasu0819) February 18, 2022

Unfortunate if the career of such bright prospect gets ruined. Very unfortunate.#CricketTwitter #rajvardhanhangargekar https://t.co/EaTJ7A1Ey9

— Saransh (@CricSaransh) February 18, 2022 

After being picked by CSK, Hangargekar had said seeing Mumbai Indians and CSK in a bidding war for him was a great moment. CSK was Hangargekar's father's favourite IPL team and he said he was happy to fulfil his late father's dream by bagging a CSK contract. 

“Everyone wants to play in the IPL, by the time my name came up in the auction, that was the moment I got excited about. When MI and CSK were fighting it out for me in the auction, that was a great moment for me,” Hangargekar had said in a video posted on the IPL website. 

A massive @msdhoni fan, Rajvardhan Hangargekar cannot wait to don the @ChennaiIPL's yellow to fulfill his father's dream.

He shares his emotions after winning the #U19CWC & getting picked by CSK for #TATAIPL. - By @28anand

Full interview https://t.co/Yb72KIuVg9 pic.twitter.com/Fnq20XJ1E9

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 18, 2022

“I have always been a die-hard fan of MS Dhoni, my father used to like CSK a lot, he really loved Dhoni and he always wanted me to play for CSK. I am really happy to play with his franchise.”

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