MUMBAI: In a pivotal shift designed to foster comprehensive cricketing talent, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a new directive: all Under-19 and Under-16 players will now be required to participate in at least one First-Class match to become eligible for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This landmark decision was finalized during the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, September 28, and is slated for implementation ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The board views this as a crucial move to strengthen the foundational domestic cricket structure and ensure that aspiring cricketers develop their skills and resilience in the longer format of the game before stepping into the fast-paced world of franchise T20 cricket.
By making First-Class experience mandatory, the BCCI aims to create a more balanced and robust development pathway, emphasizing both technical refinement and mental strength. While the IPL has famously launched prodigious talents straight from the junior ranks—with Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi being a notable recent example—critics have frequently voiced concerns about young players focusing too narrowly on T20 cricket.
The new regulation is expected to encourage greater participation and renewed interest in prestigious tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and other state-level competitions. This will not only add significant value to India’s traditional red-ball system but also better prepare players for the diverse challenges of international cricket.
Although this policy might initially lead to a smaller pool of teenage cricketers immediately available for the IPL, it is widely anticipated to result in better-prepared athletes transitioning to professional leagues. Furthermore, this mandate places increased responsibility on domestic teams to provide opportunities for promising U-19 and U-16 talents, potentially revitalizing regional tournaments.
Ultimately, this measure represents a calculated step by the BCCI to strike an optimal balance between identifying and nurturing raw talent, and safeguarding the long-term quality and integrity of Indian cricket.