Our Correspondent
In a significant development that vindicates months of investigative reporting and sustained pressure by Orangenews9, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), acting on a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has imposed a two-year ban on a registered cricketer for alleged age manipulation.
It is learnt that the ban stems from age discrepancies detected during the State Under-16 selection process.
The decision, officially communicated through an HCA press release, marks the first concrete punitive action in an age-fraud controversy that Orangenews9 has relentlessly highlighted over the past four to five months. Through a series of reports, the publication exposed systemic irregularities, lax scrutiny, and prolonged administrative silence within the HCA—issues that were repeatedly brushed under the carpet until sustained public scrutiny made inaction untenable.
According to the HCA release, M. Ram Charan Markatta has been barred by the BCCI from participating in any cricketing activities conducted under the BCCI or its affiliated state associations. The ban will remain in force for two years, ending on December 28, 2027. After the completion of the ban period, the player will only be eligible to participate in senior cricket, subject to strict compliance with all prevailing BCCI rules and eligibility norms.
Orangenews9 has consistently maintained that age manipulation is not a victimless offence. Beyond being a clear violation of regulations, such fraud denies genuinely eligible youngsters the opportunity to represent Hyderabad, distorts competition, and forces age-group players to compete against physically mature opponents—seriously compromising fairness, safety, and long-term player development.
The publication has also repeatedly cautioned parents, coaches, and intermediaries against indulging in or facilitating such malpractice. Experts warn that age fraud can have long-term psychological and emotional consequences for young players, including stigma, loss of confidence, and mental distress—often derailing promising careers even before they reach maturity.
While the HCA has stated that it is duty-bound to comply with all BCCI directives to uphold integrity and discipline in the game, the timing of this action underscores the undeniable impact of Orangenews9’s sustained campaign against administrative lapses within the association.
This action from HCA should serve as a clear warning that age manipulation will no longer be treated lightly. More importantly, it reinforces the principle that transparency, accountability, and merit must remain non-negotiable if Hyderabad cricket is to restore credibility and protect its genuine young talent.
