In a large step, the Control Board for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided that they are doing an additional bone test to determine the age of a player and to ensure that no one remembers to play junior cricket.
In a large -scale step, the Control Board for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided that an additional bone test is being done at the age group level to ensure that no cricketer remembers to play additional season in junior cricket.
According to the existing criteria, a player goes through a bone test to determine his age through the Tw3 method (used to assess bone age), and a +1 factor is added to determine their eligibility for the next season.
However, now according to the new rules, for example – a cricketer in the under -16 boys category will go for a second bone test in the next season to determine whether he appears in the same age group.
,This is being done for an accurate age and make sure that no player loses due to arithmetic calculations instead of scientific calculations“A BCCI source told PTI.
The cut-off is 16.5 years for U-16 boys and 15 years for U-15 girls competition. ,This means that a player’s bone age should be 16.4 or below in male cricketers in the next season and 14.9 or below in terms of women for participation“The source said.
To further explain the rule, if a U-16 player undergoes a bone test in the 2025-26 season and the result comes out in 15.4 years, the player will not need to undergo bone test in the next season. Instead a +1 is automatically added to their bone age.
In such a case, the player’s age is being calculated for 16.4 years for the 2026–27 season-they are allowed to play U-16 with the age of 16.4 years.
Similarly, if a player’s bone age is determined to be 15.5 years or more, the age of the bone automatically is 16.5 years or more, which causes it to be disqualified for the U-16 tournament, as 16.4 is the last cutoff.
,It is possible that this arithmetic calculation does not reflect a player’s actual age correctly, so that they can lose on one year of eligibility.The source said.
In the case of U-15 girls, if a player tests 13.9 years in this season, he will be eligible for the same category in the next season with a bone of 14.9 bone.
However, if she tests 14 or above this season, she can play this season, but is not with the next one with a cut off 14.9.
