BCCI introduces A+ category for umpires, and software to detect 'Age Fraud'

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduces A+ category for umpires while also introducing software to detect age fraud at the U-16 level. ICC Elite Panel member Nitin Menon is among 10 officials grouped in the newly introduced A+ category of BCCI umpires.

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Umpires in A+ and A categories will be paid Rs 40,000 a day for a first-class game. Meanwhile, Rs 30,000 a day are paid in the B and C category. Though the list was presented as "gradation of umpires". However, a BCCI official clarified to PTI that the board has created groups.

The BCCI has introduced a new gradation system for umpires. Ten umpires, including KL Ananthapadmanabhan, Anil Chaudhary, Madangopal Jayaraman, Nitin Menon, and Virender Sharma have been ranked A+. 20 umpires are in the A category, 60 in B, 46 in C and 11 umpires are in the D category.

Rohan Pandit, Nikhil Patwardhan, Sadashiv Iyer, Ulhas Gandhe, and Navdeep Singh Sidhu are also part of the A+ category.

The BCCI also introduces DRS for all Ranji Trophy games

The BCCI wants to try out a new 'BoneXpert software' to detect age fraud at the under-16 level when it holds the Vijay Merchant Trophy. As per a Board document, the new software will make age detection of a player much cheaper and faster.

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The Board is set to employ the DRS for all Ranji Trophy games. The prize money for domestic tournament winners is set to be increased too. Moreover, the zonal system will be back for the Duleep Trophy.

The board has not added to its umpires' list since 2018. With the threat of Covid-19 reducing, the BCCI has decided to conduct a full-fledged domestic season in 2022-23 after two years.