NCA mulls 5-tier structure, revival of 'emerging' team

National Cricket Academy (NCA) are planning to revive the 'emerging team' concept to get the supply line running. The NCA, under its new cricket head VVS Laxman, is mulling a five-tier structure to groom youngsters right from the U-16s to the senior level. Before the India 'A' team concept flourished in the last seven years under Rahul Dravid when he was NCA head, India 'A' and U-19 coach, the BCCI often fielded 'emerging' teams in tournaments.

Virat Kohli is a product of one such team after he won the U-19 World Cup in 2008. Even Dravid had advocated for the structure before the pandemic hit in 2020. BCCI had last played an Asia Cup for 'emerging' teams in 2019.

The idea is to bridge the gap between India 'A' and U-19. With competition becoming so cut-throat in Indian cricket at every level, it is imperative that players get continuous exposure so that there is very little scope for wasting talent. "The idea is to identify some players from the U-19 setup first.

Not all make it to the India 'A' team immediately and then few struggle to fit in to senior state teams. These players will be monitored and guided by the NCA. If that requires them to change their states then so be it," a source told TOI.

"The structure needs to be synchronized from the U-16 level. The junior selectors need to keep a watch on U-16 tournaments. The five tiers will be U-16, U-19, 'emerging', India 'A' and senior India," the source added.

The senior and junior selectors along with Laxman and Dravid are likely to collaborate on this project. The BCCI is already planning to have a set of fast bowlers beyond the India and India 'A' setup. These fast bowlers will be monitored by the NCA.