BCCI to allow overaged players to take part in U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will allow over-aged players to participate in the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy. This decision has been taken due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In fact, 60 players have been identified by the BCCI, and all these players are aged 16 and half years or below. Also, a letter written by the General Manager, Game Development (of the BCCI), Dhiraj Malhotra stated that the limit during the bone test was found to be 16.5 years.

The letter further revealed that several state associations requested the BCCI to consider the players as the tournament was postponed by 4 months due to no fault of the players.

“Many players were found above the threshold limit of 16.5 years in the bone test. Considering the delay in conducting the bone test and tournament, a few associations requested us to review all the borderline (16.5) cases, so that players don’t lose out because of no fault of theirs for this four-month delay,” revealed a letter written by Dhiraj Malhotra as quoted by Cricbuzz.

BCCI requested external consultants to review overaged players: Dhiraj Malhotra

The letter from Dhiraj Malhotra added that the BCCI requested the external consultants to review the overaged players, and they are about 60 in number. The letter concluded by stating that all these players are now eligible to participate in the Vijay Merchant Trophy.

“BCCI, therefore, requested all its external consultants to review all the 16.5 marked cases. Ratings were revised for about 60 players by these external consultants, across all the associations. Attached below is the sheet of the players whose ratings have been revised by the consultants. These players are now eligible to participate in U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy 2021-22,” concluded the letter.