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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a significant decision regarding the upcoming edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India's domestic T20 competition. The Impact Player rule, which was introduced on an experimental basis a couple of years ago and later adopted for the Indian Premier League (IPL), will be scrapped for the SMAT 2024. This decision was communicated to state associations by the BCCI on Monday, signaling a shift in strategy for domestic cricket.
The Impact Player rule had been a topic of debate since its inception. While some stakeholders, including franchises and broadcasters, viewed it as a positive addition that made the tournament more intense and competitive, others, including prominent players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, voiced their dissatisfaction. The rule was often highlighted as a contributing factor to the high-scoring matches witnessed in IPL 2024. The rule allowed teams to introduce a 12th player at any point during a match, replacing one of the players from the original XI announced at the toss.
Despite its controversial nature, the Impact Player rule will continue to be implemented in the IPL for the upcoming season. However, with its removal from the SMAT, the rule's future in the IPL beyond 2025 remains uncertain. The decision by the BCCI to discontinue the rule in domestic cricket might indicate a shift in their overall approach towards this innovation, potentially paving the way for its eventual elimination from the IPL as well.
In addition to the Impact Player rule, the BCCI has confirmed that the two-bouncer per over rule will remain in effect for the SMAT. This rule, which allows for an additional bouncer in an over compared to international cricket, has been a feature of domestic cricket for some time. The decision to retain this rule suggests that the BCCI intends to continue its emphasis on creating a distinct environment for domestic cricket, allowing for experimentation and adaptation of rules within the context of Indian cricket.