Cricket in Odisha suffered a loss of credibility as Sumit Sharma, a player of the State Senior Men Team was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for fudging. According to a press release from Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) today, Sharma has been disqualified to participate in BCCI domestic tournaments for two years producing multiple age certificates.

“The certificate produced by him when he played junior level in the year 2015-16 did not match the one he produced for the current season,” informed OCA secretary Sanjay Behera in the press release.

Cuttack allrounder Sharma had travelled to Vadodara to represent Odisha Senior Men Team in their opening Ranji Trophy match against Baroda from January 5. After he was disqualified by the BCCI Disciplinary Committee, OCA replaced him with Tarani Sa.

According to information available in different websites, Sharma, a left-hand batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, was born on 8 September 1995. He played for Odisha in Vijay Merchant Trophy U-16 Tournament in 2012 and Cooch Behar Trophy U-19 Tournament in 2014.

But in some other sources, his date of birth has been mentioned as 8 September 1997. Sharma represented Cuttack-based Juvenile Club in domestic tournaments in Odisha. The banning of Sharma has further tarnished the reputation of OCA, which is often criticised for various irregularities and wrong doings.