NEW DELHI: In a notable improvement, the BCCI has launched an extra bone test on the junior degree to be sure that younger cricketers don’t miss out on a season due to the “+1 factor” at present utilized within the eligibility calculation, which frequently disqualifies players by a slender margin.As per the present process, a cricketer’s age is set by way of the TW3 methodology (used to assess bone age), and a “+1” is added to the outcome to mission eligibility for the subsequent season in the identical age group.With the up to date rule, players within the Under-16 boys’ class will now be permitted to bear a second bone test within the following season, ought to the “+1” issue make them ineligible within the earlier one.“It is being done to have an exact age and make sure that no player loses due to arithmetical calculation rather than scientific calculation,” a BCCI supply informed PTI.Currently, the bone age restrict is about at 16.5 years for U-16 boys and 15 years for U-15 ladies.“This means that the bone age of a player has to be 16.4 or below in the following season in male cricketers and 14.9 or below in case of females for participation,” the supply stated.To additional illustrate the brand new coverage, if a male U-16 participant’s bone test outcome within the 2025-26 season reveals 15.4 years, he received’t be examined once more the subsequent season. Instead, one yr can be added arithmetically, bringing his bone age to 16.4 for the 2026-27 season, maintaining him eligible to compete.Conversely, if a participant’s bone age is 15.5 or extra, including one yr makes it 16.5 or above, exceeding the eligibility threshold of 16.4 and ruling him out of the U-16 match.
“It’s possible that this arithmetical calculation does not accurately reflect a player’s actual age, which could cause them to lose out on a year of eligibility,” the supply added.For U-15 ladies, if a bone test reveals a participant is 13.9 years previous this season, she qualifies to play subsequent season with a bone age of 14.9.But if she exams at 14 or older this season, she will take part now, however not the next yr, given the 14.9 age cap.
