Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Ganguly Defends CAB Age Checks, Ticket Rules Amid Controversies
The Cricket Association of Bengal checks players’ ages to make sure they play in the correct age group.
It found that Rohit Yadav’s records differed by 27 months, so he received a two-year ban.
The association also barred 64 other players, including Ravi Kumar.
Sourav Ganguly said CAB has a 10-member team checking documents and will repeat the checks every year.
He said the system now includes an Aadhaar update process introduced by the BCCI.
Ganguly also defended CAB over complaints about World Cup tickets.
He said the BCCI and ICC made the ticket rules and that CAB followed them.
Eden Gardens will be used for Durga Puja events, so a scheduled cricket match may need to be moved.
Ganguly said these controversies cannot damage his personal image.
Sourav Ganguly said the Cricket Association of Bengal has a transparent age-verification system and will repeat checks annually.
Rohit Yadav received a two-year ban after a reported 27-month discrepancy and was withdrawn from India’s Under-19 series against Australia.
The CAB barred 64 other players, including Ravi Kumar, whose age-group records were declared invalid over a discrepancy reportedly exceeding 40 months.
Ganguly said CAB follows BCCI and ICC rules on World Cup ticketing and that BookMyShow is a centrally appointed ticketing agency.
Eden Gardens is expected to be handed over for Durga Puja programmes from September 25, requiring the October 11 Ranji Trophy match to move.
- Who
- Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly, Rohit Yadav, Ravi Kumar, the CAB, BCCI and ICC.
- What
- The CAB defended its age-verification process and World Cup ticketing practices while announcing a venue change linked to Durga Puja programmes.
- When
- The age checks and ticketing comments were made at a press conference; Eden Gardens is to be handed over on September 25, with the Ranji Trophy match scheduled from October 11.
- Where
- Eden Gardens and the Cricket Association of Bengal in West Bengal; Rohit represented India Under-19 during a tour of Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The statements followed action over player-age discrepancies, controversy over World Cup complimentary tickets and plans to use Eden Gardens for Durga Puja events.
CAB’s Position
Reported Concerns
Player-age verification
CAB’s Position
Sourav Ganguly said CAB has transparent rules, a 10-member verification cell and an annual review process, and that players caught with discrepancies are excluded from competition.
Reported Concerns
The age-fraud controversy centers on discrepancies in the records of Rohit Yadav, Ravi Kumar and 64 other players. The article does not provide a detailed response from the affected players.
World Cup ticket distribution
CAB’s Position
Ganguly said CAB followed BCCI and ICC rules, which do not permit special World Cup allocations for life members or other categories, and said BookMyShow was appointed centrally by the BCCI.
Reported Concerns
The article says ticket distribution prompted controversy and criticism, but it does not specify the critics’ individual allegations or provide their responses.
Impact on Ganguly’s reputation
CAB’s Position
Ganguly rejected the suggestion that the ticketing controversy could tarnish his image, saying his image does not depend on CAB.
Reported Concerns
Ganguly said controversies were being created around CAB ahead of its elections; the article does not identify the people he believed were responsible.
- Age discrepancy involving Rohit Yadav
- 27 months
- Rohit Yadav penalty
- Two-year ban and withdrawal from India’s upcoming Under-19 series against Australia
- Other players barred
- 64 players, including former India Under-19 World Cup-winning pacer Ravi Kumar
- CAB verification staff
- A 10-member age-verification cell
- Verification policy
- Age checks will be repeated every year
- World Cup ticketing
- CAB said distribution follows BCCI and ICC guidelines through the prescribed first-come, first-served system
- Eden Gardens handover
- The stadium is to be handed over for Durga Puja programmes on September 25