BCCI updates bone test rules - U-16 boys with 15.4 years skip next retest

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revised its bone age testing rules for junior cricket players to address eligibility concerns. Previously, a '1 factor' added to bone age calculations sometimes rendered players ineligible by very narrow margins, potentially costing them an extra season of play.

Under the updated guidelines, U-16 boys with a bone age reading of 15.4 years during the 2025-26 season will be exempt from undergoing a retest the following year. This adjustment aims to more accurately reflect players' true ages and prevent unfair disqualification.

"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," a source explained.

The bone age cut-offs remain at 16.5 years for U-16 boys and 15 years for U-15 girls competitions. The new rule acknowledges that the previous arithmetic calculation might not have accurately represented a player's actual age, leading to eligibility issues.

"If a male U-16 player undergoes a bone test in the 2025-26 season and the result shows a bone age of 15.4 years, he would not need to undergo another bone test the following season," the BCCI clarified.

This update is expected to provide greater clarity and fairness in age verification, ensuring young cricketers are not unfairly excluded from competition due to technicalities in bone age assessment.

The BCCI has updated its bone test rules for junior cricket, allowing U-16 boys with a bone age of 15.4 years to skip the next retest. This change aims to prevent players from losing eligibility due to minor calculation factors affecting bone age assessments.