BCCI Implements Critical Change to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Eliminates the Impact Player Rule

The Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) has chose to eliminate one of the major rules of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The domestic T20 tournament will not see the implementation of the Impact Player Rule, which was made popular in the IPL.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Contends ENG's Bazball Command, Lays Out a Challenge for Team India Before BGT Series

BCCI Does Away With Impact Player Rule for Domestic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Tournament

As per reports from Cricbuzz, in a short communication, the BCCI has said that it has decided to to ‘do away’ with the contentious rule.

"Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of 'Impact Player' for the ongoing season," the BCCI informed the state cricket associations on Monday. 

A few years ago, the Impact Player concept was unveiled in SMAT and subsequently expanded to the Indian Premier League. But the BCCI decided to eliminate the Impact Player from the domestic tournament shortly after deciding to keep the rule in place for the IPL until 2027. Many people, including India captain Rohit Sharma, questioned the Impact Player experiment in light of the IPL's record 250+ total this year. 

"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 player. You are taking out so much from the game just to make it little entertainment for the people around," Rohit said on the Club Prairie Podcast.

Also Read: Babar to miss remainder of England series as Pakistan gives out-of-form star batter rest

Nonetheless, the majority of IPL teams supported the regulation. Even Saurashtra head coach Niraj Odedra welcomed the BCCI's decision.

"It is nice change. Also the ICC doesn't have this rule in major tournaments So it would be good for cricketers who want to play for India as they graduate from domestic season," Odedra said.

While the Impact Player rule exits, the two-bouncer rule, which was implemented in the SMAT previous season and later in the IPL, has been upheld by the BCCI. The International Cricket Council (ICC) only allows one bouncer per over, worldwide. But in the BCCI's T20 matches, the two bouncers per over rule has been kept. The nation's cricket community, especially those participating in the IPL, supported the additional bouncer.

[With PTI Inputs]