The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun preparations for significant changes in the youth cricket structure. The board has invited applications for five positions in the Youth Committee. This new committee will carry out important responsibilities, including selecting Indian teams up to the U-22 level, scouting young talent, choosing captains, and appointing coaching and support staff.
The deadline for applying for these positions is set for September 5, 2026, with candidates able to submit documents until 17:00. Following this, the BCCI will review and select candidates. Selected participants will be offered a personal interview, and after the entire process is complete, five committee members will be appointed.
BCCI has established strict criteria for participation in the Youth Committee. A candidate must be a former athlete with experience participating in at least 25 first-class matches. Furthermore, five years must have passed since their retirement from sports. Additionally, the candidate cannot be a member of any BCCI sports commission within the last five years according to the board's rules.
The most crucial function of the new committee will be conducting an impartial and transparent selection of teams up to the U-22 level across various age groups. Committee members will monitor player performances in both domestic and international competitions to identify new talents.
The committee's duties also include building a strong reserve for the future by selecting teams for training camps, domestic tournaments, and overseas tours. The committee will have the authority to appoint captains for youth teams in different formats. The committee's functions are not limited to players; it will also vet candidates for coaching and support staff roles in respective teams, including physiotherapists, coaches, therapists, analysts, and medical personnel.
The committee will monitor team performance and player development, preparing periodic evaluation reports. It will also oversee the organization and administration of BCCI youth tournaments and overseas trips. An important task of the new structure is preparing young athletes for challenges outside the field. Through interaction with veterans and current athletes, they will raise youth awareness about the risks of drugs, gambling, and match-fixing, aiming to instill a strong sporting ethic from an early age.
In parallel, BCCI is searching for a new title sponsor for the upcoming domestic season as the contract with IDFC expires this month. Reports indicate that the board has not yet received proposals meeting its expectations, so a final decision on the new title sponsor has not been made.