BCCI Introduces New Age Verification Measures to Combat Fraud in Cricket

BCCI's New Initiative Against Age Fraud

Nearly four years after implementing additional strategies to address age and domicile fraud in cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce a new age verification regulation. This move is crucial given the vast number of cricket players in India.

The initiative known as “Catch Them Young” is being broadened—not only to spot emerging talent early but also to identify and prevent manipulation by individuals aiming for quick recognition through dishonest practices. The intense drive to find the next cricketing icons like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, or Virat Kohli has, in some instances, led to unethical behaviors that threaten the sport's integrity. This may explain the BCCI's decision to implement another rule aimed at curbing age fraud.

On August 3, 2020, the BCCI launched a ‘Voluntary Disclosure Scheme for registered players’. This program allowed players to voluntarily admit any past manipulation of their date of birth by submitting falsified or altered documents. Those who came forward would not face suspension. However, if registered players failed to disclose the truth and were found to have submitted fraudulent date of birth documents, they would face a two-year ban. After this period, they would be barred from participating in BCCI age group tournaments and those organized by state units.

Additionally, players found guilty of domicile fraud would face lengthy bans, and the voluntary disclosure scheme would not apply to them. For the BCCI U-16 tournament, only players aged between 14 and 16 were allowed to register. In the U-19 category, if a player’s birth was registered more than two years after their actual birth date, the BCCI imposed restrictions on their eligibility for tournaments. Previously, on October 4, 2019, the BCCI had provided helpline numbers for cricketers, team support staff, and state cricket association administrators to report instances of age and domicile fraud. A banner displaying these helpline numbers was placed in dressing rooms at all venues during the BCCI’s Domestic season of 2019-20.

Current Testing Challenges

According to existing regulations, players undergo a bone test for age verification using the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 (TW3) method, which assesses bone age, with a +1 factor added to determine eligibility for the following season in the same age group. While the BCCI has the resources to implement this nationwide, other sports associations often hesitate to adopt this method due to the costs of the test and the availability of certified medical practitioners in certain states. Despite the implementation of the TW3 test, numerous cases of age fraud continue to be reported across the country.