BCCI tightens junior cricket age checks: new bone test rules impact U-16 and U-15 eligibility

The BCCI's latest enforcement introduces a second bone test to eliminate age fraud in junior cricket, setting strict bone age limits of 16.5 years for U-16 boys and 15 years for U-15 girls. This move clarifies eligibility, allowing players like U-16 boys with 15.4 years bone age to continue, while restricting U-15 girls aged 14 or above from next season, reshaping youth cricket participation.

Sources:
Times of IndiaThehindu
Updated 2h ago
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Sources: Times of IndiaThehindu
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented stricter age verification rules for junior cricket players in the Under-16 and Under-15 categories by introducing a second bone test to address the '+1 factor' used in age calculations.

Currently, the TW3 method is used to assess bone age, with a '+1' added to project eligibility for the next season. This often results in players becoming ineligible by very narrow margins. To prevent this, the BCCI will now allow a second bone test if the initial result plus the '+1 factor' disqualifies a player.

The bone age limits are set at 16.5 years for U-16 boys and 15 years for U-15 girls. For example, if a male U-16 player’s bone test in the 2025-26 season shows 15.4 years, he will not be tested again the following season. However, if a female U-15 player tests at 14 or above this season, she can play this season but not the next, with the cutoff being 14.9 years.

This new policy aims to ensure fairness and prevent players from losing an additional season of play due to the '+1 factor' that previously rendered some ineligible by the thinnest of margins.

"The BCCI has introduced a new rule for junior cricketers in the Under-16 category, allowing a second bone test if the '+1 factor' makes them ineligible," a BCCI official said.

The move reflects the BCCI’s commitment to maintaining integrity in junior cricket age-group competitions while providing players a fair chance to compete.
Sources: Times of IndiaThehindu
The BCCI has tightened age verification for U-16 and U-15 junior cricket players by introducing a second bone test to address the '+1 factor' in age calculations, ensuring fair eligibility and preventing players from missing extra seasons due to marginal age limits.
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Key Facts
  • The BCCI has set bone age limits at 16.5 years for U-16 boys and 15 years for U-15 girls to determine eligibility.Times of India
  • The TW3 method is used to assess bone age, and a '+1' factor is added to project eligibility for the next season in the same age group.Times of India
  • BCCI has introduced a second bone test to ensure accurate age verification and to prevent players from missing an extra season due to the '+1 factor'.Times of IndiaThehindu
  • For example, a U-16 boy with a bone test result of 15.4 years in the 2025-26 season will remain eligible next season without a second test.Times of India
  • A U-15 girl who tests at 14 years or above this season can play this season but will not be eligible next season, with the cutoff being 14.9 years.Thehindu
The BCCI has introduced a new rule for junior cricketers in the Under-16 category, allowing a second bone test if the '+1 factor' makes them ineligible.
Times of India
Times of India
In a significant move, the BCCI has decided to conduct an additional bone test at the junior level to ensure that no cricketer misses out on playing an extra season due to the '+1 factor' that is currently added to the calculation, which renders players ineligible by thinnest of margins.
Thehindu
Thehindu
Key Stats at a Glance
Bone age limit for U-16 boys
16.5 years
Times of India
Bone age limit for U-15 girls
15 years
Times of India
Bone test result for U-16 boy in 2025-26 season
15.4 years
Times of India
Eligibility cutoff for U-15 girls next season
14.9
Thehindu
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