BCCI amends player eligibility criteria, Indian passport a prerequisite for board-run tournaments

MUMBAI, INDIA JULY 19: A view of logo of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during a Council meeting of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at BCCI headquarters on July 19, 2015 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Aniruddha Chowhdury/Mint via Getty Images)

To strengthen the honesty of its domestic tournaments, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made some changes to the player eligibility criteria. Going forward, only players holding valid Indian passports will be permitted to participate in board-organized events across all age groups.

The decision makes a slight shift from the previous policy, which allowed non-citizen players producing a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to take part in its tournaments. This long-standing provision has faced criticism in recent years, with some arguing it spoils the spirit of national team representation.

“The Apex Council in its meeting held on December 18, 2023, has resolved to amend the eligibility criteria with respect to players holding a passport of a different country than India. As you may (be) aware, earlier, players who did not hold a passport of India and were therefore not citizens of India, were permitted to participate in BCCI tournaments upon production of PIO/OCI card,” said BCCI’s General Manager, Game Development Abey Kuruvilla as quoted by The Times of India.

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Age eligibility for U-15 girls tournaments brought down by a year

The new mandate applies to all BCCI-run tournaments with immediate effect. While it closes the door for PIO and OCI cardholders without Indian citizenship, the ruling body has also made an important adjustment to expand opportunities for young talent.

“However, the Apex Council has now resolved that players must hold an Indian passport to be eligible to participate in BCCI tournaments. Any player holding a passport from a different country shall not be eligible to participate in BCCI tournaments despite holding a PIO/ OCI card. You are therefore requested to note the above and inform all the concerned players regarding the same,” the General Manager added.

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Girls as young as 12-years-old will now be able to compete in the U-15 tournament, provided they meet the age criteria through the September 01 birthdate cut-off each season. Previously, the minimum age for the girls’ U-15 event was thirteen.

“Further, please note that in its meeting held on 18th December 2023, also resolved to amend the eligibility for U-15 Girls’ One-Day Tournament from the existing 13 years of age to 12 years of age. Accordingly, and subject to the results of bone testing, girls aged between 12–15 years as of 1st September of a season will be able to participate in this tournament. To illustrate, the cut-off date of birth for the 2024-25 season will be 1st September 2009-31st August 2012,” Kuruvilla concluded.