BCCI bans Sikkim’s U-19 cricketer

The BCCI has handed a two-year ban on Sikkim cricketer, Manoj Gurung, for ‘tampering with his birth certificate’.

Sikkim players during a trial camp at the Rangpo Mining Ground.

Ever since entering the first-class cricketing arena this season, the Northeast states are finding themselves in middle of controversies. 

After cancelling registration of eight Puducherry players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has handed a two-year ban on Sikkim cricketer, Manoj Gurung, for ‘tampering with his birth certificate’.

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In a letter to the Sikkim Cricket Association (SCA) — which  Sportstar has seen — the BCCI has made it clear that the player, who hails from Gangtok, will not be allowed to participate in any BCCI-affiliated tournaments with effect from this season.

This publication has learnt that in 2014, Gurung had registered himself for the Cooch Behar Trophy as a 1997-born cricketer. And this time, he submitted a certificate, claiming that he is born in 2000. While the registration process was on, the Board noticed that there was some tampering with the certificate, and the association was informed immediately.

While the question remains on how the player managed to forge the birth certificate and submit it to the SCA, the association officials told this publication that this should be a wake-up call for the players. “It is a very good step taken by the BCCI and this will prevent the players from getting involved into any unfair practices. The association will completely cooperate with the Board on the matter,” SCA’s secretary, Sonam Palden Bhutia said.

The BCCI officials also confirmed the development and also made it clear that such ‘activities will not be tolerated’.