BCCI to scrap Impact Player Rule in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Author: Vishnu Reddy
Updated At:
In view of recent reports, BCCI is all set to scrap the Impact Player Rule for the upcoming edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) starting in November. The rule first came into existence two years ago in this T20 league and later debuted in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. This decision comes shortly after the BCCI decided to retain this rule in the IPL for the next three seasons, up to 2027.
"Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of the 'Impact Player' for the ongoing season," the BCCI informed the state associations on Monday.
Ever since its introduction in the IPL, the Impact Player rule has stirred a lot of debate amongst the fans and the experts. While the entry of this rule has made the game very interesting, several notable names like Rohit Sharma have also come forward to voice their concerns on how such a rule can hinder the effectiveness of the all-rounders.
I’m Not a Fan of Impact Player Rule - Rohit Sharma
Speaking in a podcast show, the current Indian Test skipper Rohit Sharma explained that the Impact Player Rule now allows teams to effectively go with 12 players and not 11 players. The ability to substitute a bowler or a batter at any point during the game de-emphasizes the role of a genuine all-rounder.
"I generally feel that it is going to hold back (development of allrounders) because eventually cricket is played by 11 players, not 12 players. I'm not a big fan of impact players. You are taking out so much from the game just to make it little entertainment for the people around."
Following the announcement of this major news, Amit Siddheshwar, BCCI's Manager in Cricket operations, promised to share the detailed Men’s T20 Playing Conditions shortly with the state cricket associations. This move from BCCI has been welcomed by Saurashtra head coach Niraj Odedra who believes that the removal of this rule will allow domestic players to thrive and hone their all-round skills.
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