BCCI scraps Impact Player rule from Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy; Rule to stay in the IPL

The Impact Player rule was implemented on an experimental basis two seasons ago.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced their decision to scrap the Impact Player rule for the upcoming edition of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

The decision while widely expected, contrasts BCCI’s persistence with the rule in the next Indian Premier League (IPL) cycle. The Impact Player rule, first introduced in domestic cricket, has been retained for the IPL cycle 2025-2027.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be played from November 23 to December 15 2024. The decision to discontinue the rule in the domestic competition was conveyed to the state associations on Monday through a BCCI circular. “Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of ‘Impact Player’ for the ongoing season,” the communication read as seen by Cricbuzz.

Mixed reaction to the Impact Player rule

The concept of Impact Player was initially experimented in the SMAT and was then introduced in the IPL. The rule aimed at providing Indian players with more opportunities.

While it did help an extra player – effectively making it a 12-man game – get a chance to take the field, many players and coaches raised concerns that the rule was hampering the growth of all-rounders in Indian cricket.

This rule saw teams increasingly opt for specialist batters and bowlers, leaving all-rounders with limited opportunities. Players like Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag didn’t bowl much in the last two IPL seasons.

Despite its exclusion from the upcoming edition of SMAT, the rule has been retained by the BCCI in the IPL until 2027. The continuation of the rule will ensure the teams enjoy the added flexibility of the 12th player on the field.

Two-Bouncer rule to continue

One regulation that will be retained in the SMAT is the two bouncers per over rule. This rule was first introduced in last season’s domestic T20 competition and was carried over in the IPL.

The unique addition has been received well by the bowlers and coaches since it provides more variation in bowling strategies. The International Cricket Council (ICC), though, permits only a single bouncer for an over in T20Is.

The addition of an extra bouncer per over in India’s home T20 matches and the IPL has added another layer to the battle between bat and ball.

Former Indian pacer Laxmipathy Balaji praised the decision, stating, “It’s an excellent move, It will be a good addition to the armoury of fast bowlers and will provide bowlers, captains, and coaching staff with something to strategise and work with for a particular batter. It will also make the contest between bat and ball much more balanced.“

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