The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed State cricket associations that the Impact Player rule will not be implemented in the upcoming edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India’s domestic T20 competition. “Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of the ‘Impact Player’ for the ongoing season,” the BCCI stated in a communication to state units on Monday.
However, this rule will still be in effect for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Impact Player rule was initially introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as an experiment before being adopted by the IPL. It allows teams to substitute a player during a match, offering strategic flexibility and enhancing the game’s dynamics.
During the previous IPL season, several players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, expressed their dissatisfaction with the Impact Player rule. In contrast, franchise owners and broadcasters felt the rule added intensity and competitiveness to the tournament, contributing to many high-scoring matches in IPL 2024.
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With the Impact Player rule now abolished for the domestic tournament, it remains uncertain whether it will continue in the IPL beyond the 2025 season. The rule has also been used in the ILT20 and the Abu Dhabi T10.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has decided to maintain the two-bouncer-per-over rule in the SMAT, which allows an additional bouncer in domestic matches, differing from international cricket, where only one bouncer is permitted.