BCCI discards Impact Player rule in SMAT

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has discarded the Impact Player rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) even as the apex Indian body is committed to keeping it functional in the Indian Premier League (IPL) until at least 2027 if not more. The decision was formalised after BCCI’s official confirmation to the state association on October 14. 

It was the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in which the BCCI launched the rule a couple of seasons ago on an experimental basis before blooding it in the IPL. The provision was brought into effect with the intention to provide more Indian players, especially the uncapped ones, a chance to gain exposure and playing opportunities by allowing the teams to call in a 12th player at any point in the game at the expense of a member in the original XI named at the toss.

Ever since its introduction, the rule has divided opinions in the fraternity. While a section of players and coaches have been in support given the rule’s ability to provide more players an opportunity to participate in the game actively, another section argues that it is detrimental to the growth of all-rounders as teams prefer specialist batters and bowlers instead of all-rounders.

The rule was welcomed by broadcasters not least because it made the tournament an even better spectacle: there were as many as eight 250-plus totals in IPL 2024 including the highest in the tournament’s history as Sunrisers Hyderabad smacked a record 287 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In all, nine of the top ten highest totals in IPL have come after the introduction of the Impact Player rule. 

The high-profile names who have been vocal against the rule include Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who openly admitted that he is not a fan since the rule hampers the growth of all-rounders. Virat Kohli and Mitchell Starc have also echoed similar sentiments. Kohli went as far as stating that “one extra batter” was the reason why he played at a higher strike rate in the powerplay in IPL 2024 as all the teams reaped the benefit of deeper batting line-ups. More recently, Delhi Capitals owner Parth Jindal seconded the view, admitting that he believes cricket to be a game of “11 versus 11”. 

Those in favour include Indian spinner R Ashwin and former coach Ravi Shastri, who feel that the rule adds a strategic flavour to the game and that the teams must be prepared to evolve with time. The BCCI has maintained its position that the rule is “not permanent”. 

The board, meanwhile, has decided to continue with the two-bouncer rule after it was introduced in the previous SMAT season and was implemented in the IPL as well. The said provision enables the bowlers to deliver two bouncers in an over as opposed to the international standard of one.