In a surprisingly game -changing move, the Control Board for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that under -16 cricketers will have to play at least one first class match before allowing the under -16 cricketers to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) or any other T20 league in the country.
The decision was taken during the BCCI annual general meeting on Sunday, September 28 to ensure that young Indian players gain proper experience in domestic cricket before stepping into a fast and high pressure T20 sector.
BCCI IPL makes first class match compulsory for U-16 cricketers to enter the world
Earlier, the IPL franchise had no rules about the pre-experience in domestic cricket, with a U-16 or under-19 players based on trial, auction, or the signature of the Middle Masam. Young guns like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre have already made waves in IPL 2025 as teenagers.
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But now the young Kautuk will require first class experience before stepping into T20 Arena. BCCI wants to ensure that the youth are better prepared, to expose to the red ball cricket and increase their maturity before facing the glamor and intensity of the IPL.
A report by Revsportz suggested, “BCCI AGM decides that junior cricketers, U-16 levels, will not be allowed to play T20s until they have played at least one first class game.”
The BCCI AGM decides that Junior Cricketers, up to the U -16 level, will not be allowed to play T20 until they have played at least one first class game. #Bcciagm
– Revsportz Global (@revsportzglobal) September 28, 2025
BCCI President Mithun Manhas was elected at AGM in Mumbai
Meanwhile, Mithun Manas has been appointed as the new president of BCCI after the annual general meeting in Mumbai on Sunday. Manhas Roger takes over from Binny and becomes the third former Indian cricketer in a line to lead BCCI.
Manhas first served as the director of cricket for the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. On the other hand, Rajiv Shukla and Devjit Saikia were maintained as Vice President and Secretary of BCCI respectively, while Prabhatage Singh Bhatia joined the board as Joint Secretary.
Raghuram Bhat will handle finance as treasurer. The Indian Cricket Board also strengthened the rule with Jaidev Neeran Shah as a member of the Apex Council, while Arun Singh Dhumal and M. Khairul Jamal Majumdar joined the Governing Council.
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This is a proud moment for all of us: Parvez Rasool
Speaking on the appointment of Mithun Manhas, Parvez Rasool was quoted by Revsports, “This is a proud moment for all of us that the representation of Jammu and Kashmir is going as the President of the BCCI, and this is a major achievement for us.”
He said, “We hope that in the future, the infrastructure of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir will be good. Right now, we are completely behind other states. Pratibha-wise, we are good. But talent needs facilities. Therefore, I hope that in future, things will be better for us.”
Jayesh George first named the President of WCL
On the other hand, Jayesh George, president of the Kerala Cricket Association, has been appointed as the first chairman of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at BCCI AGM. Former India players Pragan Ojha and RP Singh join the Senior National Selection Committee.
He did S. in the selection committee. Sharath and Subroto changed Banerjee. Former Indian women cricketer Amita Sharma has been appointed as the chief selector for the Indian women’s cricket team.