6 traditional cricket rules ICC should look to change

5. Role of a substitute player in T20I

T20 has been the format to evolve the most in recent times. The fastest and shortest format of the sport has managed to capture the eyes of many as the twenty-over match culminates innovative shots, thrilling catches, massive hits, and economical bowling. The ICC committee can look to make the format even more attractive by altering the rule about the substitute player.

Generally, in any format of cricket, both the teams contesting exchange their playing XI at the time of the toss. The team submitted, can not be changed excluding the rare concussion substitute or a substitute fielder coming in for a couple of overs. Since the format demands feisty and aggressive cricket in both innings, there is minimal scope of an error on the player’s part. A T20 game can change within an over, courtesy to a bad outing by a player.

To make the format entertaining and competitive, ICC can look to introduce a provision wherein a substitute player, capable of performing the roles of a playing XI player, is introduced in between a T20I game who can then be changed after one innings. According to the situation, the team can place the player to their advantage. A similar set-up called X factor was introduced by the Big Bash League in 2020. These players need to be amongst the ones nominated in the team sheet. A rule change like this may do wonders for the sport and might lead to a new era of cricket.