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MCA considered life ban on U-16 player, who 'dropped his pants', before 3-year suspension

A promising Mumbai U-16 cricketer has been suspended for three years by MCA on Thursday after being found guilty of "gross misconduct".

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While the Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to decide on the punishment to be meted out to cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul after their controversial utterances in a TV show, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has been swift in acting on a complaint of misconduct against a junior player.

A promising Mumbai U-16 cricketer has been suspended for three years by MCA on Thursday after being found guilty of "gross misconduct".

The Mumbai Under-16 player is said to have dropped his pants and exposed himself to a teammate after a brief scuffle when the team was on tour.

The incident is said to have happened in a team hotel during the quarterfinal match between Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh in Kadapa, Andhra, in December last year.

After an enquiry meeting at the MCA premises of the Cricket Centre, attended by the coach, manager, the complainant and MCA's ad-hoc committee on January 14, the state body concluded by punishing the accused with a three-year ban, starting from January 15, 2019 till January 14, 2022.

"The Ad-Hoc Managing Committee found you guilty of gross misconduct and bringing the name of the Association to disrepute.

"It was also noted that you have failed in your duties by resorting to the ugliest behaviour which has shocked the entire team and the committee.

"In fact, this incidence also affected the team atmosphere and is against the very principles of sportsmanship and health atmosphere amongst the team members," stated the report.

"The Committee has therefore decided to suspend you from participating in all Mumbai Cricket Association tournaments as well as from representing Mumbai Cricket Association in any BCCI conducted tournament for a period of three years with effect from January 15, 2019. Your suspension period will come to end on January 14, 2022," it added.

The association has, however, given the cricketer a chance to appeal against the punishment.

Meanwhile, the parent of the accused has termed the punishment as harsh and said he will appeal for a reduction of the same. "Three years is too much for such a young boy. We will be going to appeal against the punishment meted out," said the father.

However, authorised signatory and a member of MCA's ad-hoc committee Unmesh Khanvilkar said that the punishment is justified given the nature of the misbehaviour.

"This is a serious offence and Mumbai Cricket Association cannot tolerate such kind of a behaviour," Khanvilkar said.

According to a highly-placed official in the association, who did not want to be named, the 'ugly' incident took place during the quarterfinal game where the youngster, apparently, dropped his pants and in front of his teammate during the scuffle, which took place in a room.

Sources from the association said that it is not the only complaint against the youngster but there are many of similar nature and some of them much more offensive.

The source said that the suspended cricketer's offences were so bad that the association considered banning the junior cricketer for life. However, they considered the cricketer's age and his future and decided to give him a chance to work on his discipline and try to resume cricket after three years.

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