NEW DELHI: Following the success of the Indian team in the U-19 World Cup, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and the 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.
