BCCI Removes Impact Player Rule from SMAT

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the removal of the Impact Player rule from the upcoming season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), set to take place from November 23 to December 15. Introduced in 2022, the rule allowed teams to substitute players at any point during matches but faced backlash from players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who argued it hindered the development of all-rounders and complicated the game for bowlers. Despite its discontinuation in SMAT, the BCCI will retain the rule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) through the 2025 season, primarily due to broadcaster demand. The decision has been communicated to state associations, signaling a shift in the BCCI's approach to domestic versus franchise cricket. In addition to scrapping the Impact Player rule, the BCCI has also maintained the two-bouncer rule, which allows bowlers to deliver two short-pitched balls per over, a departure from ICC regulations. This decision reflects ongoing debates about the balance between exciting gameplay and player development within the sport.