The BCCI has officially decided to discontinue the Impact Player rule for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy (SMAT). This regulation, introduced a few seasons ago in SMAT and later extended to the Indian Premier League (IPL), will no longer be in effect for the 2024 edition of the tournament.
In a communication to the state cricket associations on Monday, the BCCI stated, “Please be informed that the provision of the ‘Impact Player’ has been removed for the current season.”
This decision comes shortly after the BCCI confirmed the continuation of the rule in the IPL for the next three years, up to 2027. Since its implementation during the 2023 IPL season, the rule has sparked discussions regarding its impact on Indian cricket. Initially intended to enhance the game, critics, including notable figures like Rohit Sharma, have questioned whether it hampers the development of allrounders, a crucial aspect of the sport.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, set to start on November 23 and conclude on December 15, provides an opportunity for fast bowlers, who have just completed five Ranji Trophy league matches, to adjust to shorter bowling spells. After the SMAT, players will have time to recover and prepare for the second phase of the Ranji Trophy, which begins on January 23, 2024, just five days after the Vijay Hazare Trophy final.
Last year, when many teams faced just a three-day recovery window between Ranji matches, Mumbai allrounder Shardul Thakur voiced his concern over the congested schedule, predicting a rise in injuries across the country. Taking these concerns into account, the BCCI has decided to introduce an extra day’s rest between matches this season to improve workload management.
While attention will soon shift to white-ball competitions, the early rounds of the Ranji Trophy remain crucial for several players aspiring for national selection. The selectors will be closely watching these initial matches, especially with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia approaching and the India A red-ball tour scheduled from October 31 to November 10.
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