BCCI-NCA may have '19 plus' team to stop talented boys from going off radar

They were all once U-19 World Cup winners but have fallen off the radar, which is an issue that the BCCI will have to address. That's why there could be an "19 plus" level added to the pathways structure with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) ensuring that the talented U-19 players who have just crossed the age-group remain firmly in the system and their progress is monitored.

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Despite little age-group cricket in India for the past two seasons due to Covid-19, the India under-19 team notched up a nine-game unbeaten run, clinching two back-to-back tournaments. The way this bunch conquered an outbreak of Covid-19, forcing India to barely find 11 fit players for the games

A Shaik Rasheed (Andhra), Ravi Kumar (Bengal), Raj Angad Bawa (Chandigarh) or Yash Dhull (Delhi) might make it to the state side right away but many players from the current India line-up will be caught in between the post U-19 phase and Ranji Trophy. There exists an U-25 (previously U-23) state level but too many candidates are queuing for particular slots in those teams also. "There is a five-tier pathways structure that National Cricket Academy could be looking at in future for developing players for the senior India team. It starts with U-16, followed by U-19, the Emerging (national U-23) and A team.

"In this there is a plan to add a '19 plus' level where all these boys could be integrated," a senior BCCI official privy to discussions told PTI on the condition of anonymity. Among all these levels, the BCCI's U-25 (now known as state A team) is basically a platform given to players, who are unable to make the senior grade. The coaches know that