New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to scrap the Impact Player rule in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), the premier domestic T20 competition in India, from the upcoming season onwards. The move is a contrary after the IPL governing council decided to retain the rule for the next season of the cash-rich league.
The Impact substitute rule was first introduced in the SMAT 2022-23 season with Delhi’s Hrithik Shokeen being the first player to be the beneficiary of this experiment. Shokeen replaced batter Hiten Dalal during their Elite Group B match against Manipur. This was long before the Indian cricket board brought the rule in the IPL in 2023.
However, the rule won’t be seen in the domestic circuit anymore as the BCCI informed the state association units that they are not going to continue with it.
“Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of ‘Impact Player’ for the ongoing season,” the Indian board mentioned in a short communication, as reported by Cricbuzz.
There has been lot talked about the Impact Player rule with many players suggesting that it isn’t the future of the game as it defies the calibre of all-rounders in particular other than missing the trick of competitive cricket. The entertainment factor is a different scene altogether. Punjab Kings chased the highest total of 262 in IPL 2024 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata this year.
BCCI to continue with two bouncers’ rule
The BCCI has decided to keep the two-bouncer rule, which was introduced in the last season of the SMAT. It was carried into the IPL this year only (in IPL 2024 season). According to the 41.6.2 clause, as reported by Cricbuzz, a bowler is permitted to bowl not not more than two fast short-pitched deliveries in an over. The third bouncer is considered as an illegal delivery (no-ball) and invites a free-hit to the opposition. This is again contrary to the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, wherein a bowler cannot bowl more than a bouncer in an over.
The Impact substitute rule was first introduced in the SMAT 2022-23 season with Delhi’s Hrithik Shokeen being the first player to be the beneficiary of this experiment. It was later brought in the IPL in 2023. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
