'Didn't include Rohit and Ravi Kumar in the probable squad...': Ganguly defends CAB age verification process calling it transparent

Eden Gardens: Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has defended the state body's age-verification framework, asserting that a transparent auditing process is in place and will be conducted annually to curb document falsification following stern action against several young players.

The assertion comes in the wake of a two-year suspension handed to India Under-19 cricketer Rohit Yadav after a CAB audit uncovered a 27-month discrepancy in his age records. Rohit was subsequently withdrawn from India's Under-19 squad touring Australia. The association has similarly barred 64 other cricketers, including former Under-19 World Cup-winning bowler Ravi Kumar, whose records revealed a mismatch of over 40 months.

Addressing a press conference at Eden Gardens, Ganguly confirmed that age auditing mechanisms have been tightened across the board and will be repeated every season.

"This is the first time that the BCCI has introduced the Aadhaar update system. On the 27th of last month, the BCCI held an age verification seminar," Ganguly said.

"Representatives of all state agencies go. Age is a problem in all sports. Football, cricket – all sports. The CAB has a transparent set of rules for verification of age. Rohit Yadav has been dropped from the national team. We didn't include Rohit and Ravi Kumar in the probable squad. Not only them, but many players who have reached the age limit have been dropped. It will be verified every year. The CAB has a 10-member verification cell. Those who are caught are not allowed to play," he added.

When asked whether the state body would pursue legal or punitive action against syndicates involved in forging birth credentials, Ganguly clarified that the CAB's jurisdiction remains strictly operational.

"CAB can't do anything. The CAB can only verify and exclude it. I don't know where they come from, whether they get fake certificates from hospitals or boroughs. The CAB will not be able to reach that far," he said.

"But if submitted, it will be captured in the Aadhaar update system. No one will be spared. The CAB has 10 people on salary for this job. They're checking everything," he added.

World Cup Ticketing Protocols Clarified

Turning to recent debate surrounding complimentary ticket allocations during international tournaments, Ganguly maintained that the state administration adheres strictly to parameters set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"We want to make it absolutely clear that ticket distribution for the World Cup is decided by the BCCI and communicated to the state associations. As per the stadium agreement, no special allotment or preferential access is permitted for life members, honorary members, or any other category,” he said.

"Tickets have to be purchased through the official prescribed mode on a first-come, first-served basis. BookMyShow is not a CAB agency; it is a central ticketing agency appointed by the BCCI to handle ticketing across associations under the instructions of the BCCI and ICC. The entire process is guided by the parent bodies, and the associations are required to follow their directions," he added.

Ganguly noted that while complimentary ticketing remains a long-standing practice for domestic and bilateral fixtures, ICC events operate under independent operational guidelines.

"Whatever happened was in accordance with the rules. Complimentary tickets in CAB have been happening for the last 30 years, and it has continued to do so. Even when the Test match against South Africa was held this year, CAB followed its old policy of giving tickets to its honorary associate and life members plus the exact amount of complimentary tickets required to be distributed to various agencies," he said.

"But in the case of the World Cup, that does not exist because there is a strict guideline by the BCCI and ICC saying that if you have to host matches, this is what the guidelines are. We distribute tickets in a transparent manner. Various controversies are being created in the name of CAB with the elections ahead. We know what and who is doing it," Ganguly added.

When asked if the ongoing public debate regarding ticket allocations risked damaging his personal reputation, the former India captain rejected the premise.

"No one can tarnish my image. My image does not depend on the CAB," he said.

Venue Re-allocation for Domestic Season

Regarding venue availability, Ganguly confirmed that Eden Gardens will be handed over to government authorities on 25 September for scheduled Durga Puja celebrations, necessitating a venue change for Bengal's Ranji Trophy fixture against Delhi starting 11 October.

The decision follows formal correspondence from the West Bengal Youth Services & Sports Department requesting access to the complex between 25 September and 15 October for celebratory arrangements and subsequent dismantling work. The request comes after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that state celebrations would launch at the venue on Mahalaya.

With the state event overlapping with the domestic calendar, Bengal's Elite Group C Ranji Trophy opener against Delhi will be relocated to an alternative ground in the state.

Eden Gardens previously hosted five matches during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, including the semi-final between Australia and South Africa, as well as seven matches during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, including a Super Eight fixture and a semi-final clash. (ANI)