Players who are still eligible to compete in U-19 tournaments this season due to their chronological age are allowed to participate in the BCCI Under-19 season 2021-22
NEW DELHI — Due to COVID-19, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to include the domestic season 2020-21 while determining the participation limit for players in U-19 competitions for the next 2021-22 season.
A player’s number of under-19 appearances is limited, according to new BCCI regulations published on August 3, 2020. However, because U-19 games were not held during the 2020-21 season owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board has agreed to make an exemption this season.
BCCI medical consultant informs state associations
BCCI medical consultant Abhijit Salvi, as per ANI, wrote to the state associations in a letter that because the BCCI Under-19 tournaments were not held during the 2020-21 season owing to the pandemic, they would not be considered for determining U-19 player eligibility for the 2021-22 season.
Players who are still eligible to play in U-19 competitions this season based on their chronological age, will be able to play in the BCCI Under-19 season 2021-22.
BCCI official cites examples for clarity on eligibility
Clarifying further, he cited an example that under the new regulations announced on August 3, 2020, Player X is limited to two seasons of Under-19 participation. During the 2019-20 BCCI Under-19 season, he made his debut. Season 2020-21 was scheduled to be his final year of competition under the new regulations. However, because BCCI U-19 matches were not held during the 2020-21 season, Player X will be able to compete in BCCI Under-19 competitions in the 2021-22 season, if his date of birth qualifies him.
In another example, he stated that according to the new regulations, Player X is limited to four seasons of Under-19 participation. During the 2017-18 season, he made his BCCI Under-19 debut. Season 2020-21 was scheduled to be his final year of competition under the new regulations. However, because BCCI U-19 matches were not held during the 2020-21 season, Player X will be able to compete in the 2021-22 season’s Under-19 competitions, if he is eligible based on his date of birth.