BCCI Mandates First-Class Experience for U-16 Players Seeking IPL Entry

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented a significant new rule requiring all cricketers up to the Under-16 level to play at least one first-class match before becoming eligible for the Indian Premier League (IPL) or any other domestic T20 league. This decision, taken during the BCCI Annual General Meeting in Mumbai, aims to ensure young Indian talent gains essential experience and maturity in domestic cricket before transitioning to the high-pressure T20 format.

Previously, IPL franchises had the flexibility to sign U-16 or U-19 players based solely on trials or auctions, leading to teenagers like Vaibhav Suryavanshi making early appearances. The new mandate is designed to better prepare these young prodigies by exposing them to the rigors of red-ball cricket, enhancing their overall development before they face the intensity and glamour of the IPL stage.