NEW DELHI: In a notable growth, the BCCI has launched a further bone check on the junior degree to make sure that younger cricketers don’t miss out on a season because of the “+1 issue” presently utilized within the eligibility calculation, which frequently disqualifies gamers by a slim margin.As per the present process, a cricketer’s age is set by means of the TW3 methodology (used to evaluate bone age), and a “+1” is added to the consequence to mission eligibility for the subsequent season in the identical age group.With the up to date rule, gamers within the Beneath-16 boys’ class will now be permitted to bear a second bone check within the following season, ought to the “+1” issue make them ineligible within the earlier one.“It’s being carried out to have an actual age and ensure that no participant loses resulting from arithmetical calculation somewhat than scientific calculation,” a BCCI supply informed PTI.Presently, the bone age restrict is about at 16.5 years for U-16 boys and 15 years for U-15 women.“Which means that the bone age of a participant must be 16.4 or under within the following season in male cricketers and 14.9 or under in case of females for participation,” the supply stated.To additional illustrate the brand new coverage, if a male U-16 participant’s bone check consequence within the 2025-26 season exhibits 15.4 years, he gained’t be examined once more the subsequent season. As a substitute, one 12 months will probably be added arithmetically, bringing his bone age to 16.4 for the 2026-27 season, protecting him eligible to compete.Conversely, if a participant’s bone age is 15.5 or extra, including one 12 months makes it 16.5 or above, exceeding the eligibility threshold of 16.4 and ruling him out of the U-16 match.
“It is doable that this arithmetical calculation doesn’t precisely replicate a participant’s precise age, which may trigger them to lose out on a 12 months of eligibility,” the supply added.For U-15 women, if a bone check exhibits a participant is 13.9 years previous this season, she qualifies to play subsequent season with a bone age of 14.9.But when she exams at 14 or older this season, she will be able to take part now, however not the next 12 months, given the 14.9 age cap.