Why can’t Samit Dravid play for India at the Under-19 World Cup? | Cricket News

The BCCI’s junior selection committee recently picked Rahul Dravid’s son Samit Dravid in India’s Under-19 squad for the ongoing bilateral series against Australia. However, because of ICC’s age eligibility criteria, Samit won’t be able to play in the next edition of the ICC Under-19 World Cup that is scheduled to take place in 2026.
Samit, who was named in the India squad for the 50-over and the two youth Tests, hasn’t played in the one-dayers because of an injury. It is understood that he is undergoing a rehab at the National Cricket Academy. In case Samit doesn’t recover in time for the two youth Tests to be played in Chennai starting September 30, he may find it difficult to get another opportunity at the Under-19 level.
But more importantly, Samit won’t be able to represent India at the U-19 World Cup as he would have exceeded the age-limit.

“A Player will be eligible to represent a National Cricket Federation in an ICC U19 CWC or ICC U19 T20 WC if he/she is aged under 19 (i.e. he/she is younger than 19 years of age) on the 31 August immediately preceding the date on which the first match in the relevant U19 CWC or U19 T20 WC is due to take place. For the avoidance of doubt, this means the Player’s age at midnight (in the country of birth) at the changeover from the 31st of August to the 1st of September immediately preceding the event,” reads the ICC rule on eligibility on the basis of age.
As per the ICC’s regulations, any player who is eligible to feature in the U19 World Cup should be aged Under 19 as of August 31, 2025. But Samit, is set to turn 19 on October 11, and hence won’t be able to make the cut off date for the 2026 U-19 World Cup.