BCCI Looking To Add "19 Plus Level" To Save Former U-19 Players From Going Into Oblivion: Reports
Published - 08 Feb 2022, 01:57 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:04 AM
The BCCI is keen on saving the best of India U-19 talents and preparing them for the long hail in the future. Several former U-19 players have already been overlooked and the BCCI is thus looking at a 19 plus level which further extends their path of staying in the vicinity of domestic and international cricket.
Several of the India U-19 players have been ruled out from enrolling themselves in the IPL 2022 mega auction. The BCCI said that they have not yet played enough domestic cricket to make themselves eligible to play in the IPL. In another statement, they said that they need to turn 19 to make themselves eligible as well.
There Is A Plan To Add 19 Plus Level: BCCI
The NCA is thus keen on adding a pathway for the young cricketers by adding this 19 plus level ensuring that the talented U-19 players who have just crossed the age-group remain firmly in the system and their progress is monitored.
“There is a five-tier pathways structure that National Cricket Academy could be looking at in future for developing players for the senior India team. It starts with U-16, followed by U-19, the Emerging (national U-23) and A team. In this there is a plan to add a ’19 plus’ level where all these boys could be integrated,” a senior BCCI official privy to discussions told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
It is expected that the top BCCI officials along with VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and senior and junior selectors will create a blueprint as to how to take the process forward.
“We all get really excited with the U-19 triumph but one doesn’t understand that BCCI has such a great structure in place that we will always be up there among junior teams at global level. But just after this, first-class becomes a different beast. Go and check the 2012 team. Save Hanuma Vihari, most are now nowhere among even best domestic players in their own states,” the veteran BCCI official said.
Also Read: BCCI Announce Cash Prize Of 40 Lakhs For Each India U-19 Player After Winning Fifth Title
