In a fresh development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it mandatory for Under-19 and Under-16 players to play at least one first-class match in order to be eligible to play in the IPL. The decision was taken in the board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was held on Sunday. Over the years, the cash-rich league has seen many Under-19 players participating in the tourney, with the likes of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre shining in IPL 2025.
BCCI’s new IPL rule for U19, U16 cricketers
As per reports, the BCCI has decided in order for an Under-19 or Under-16 cricketer to be eligible to play in the IPL, he should have played at least one first-class match. Previously, the IPL did not have any age restrictions for players or specific rules that made it compulsory for the players to have prior experience in domestic cricket in order to play in the league. The decision was left up to the franchises who could either pick the players after holding trials or via auction and mid-season signings as replacements.
Following the announcement, fans hailed the BCCI’s decision, noting that it was a good move to allow youngsters to take part in the IPL only after they have had bare minimum experience in domestic cricket. Netizens claimed that the move will ensure quality and readiness at the highest level is maintained.
Rajasthan Royals star Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to take part in IPL afer being signed for Rs 1.10 crore before IPL 2025. He was 13 years and 243 days at the time of being bought by RR. Other Under-19 players in the latest of the IPL indluded Ayush Mhatre, Andre Siddharth, Musheer Khan, Swasatik Chikara and South Africa’s Kwena Mphaka. Other youngsters who were part of IPL previously include Allah Ghazanfar for KKR at 15 years and 161 days in IPL 2024, and Prayas Ray Barman for RCB at 16 years of age in 2019.
