- By Himanshu Badola
- Fri, 07 Jul 2023 05:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
JE Sports Desk: The 'Impact Player' is set to be used once again in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament (SMAT) starting from October 16. The special rule was introduced in the SMAT tournament last season but will witness the Indian Premier League (IPL) version of it this time around.
According to the rule, the impact player teams will be allowed to name four substitutes besides the playing eleven before the toss. Out of the four substitutes, only one can be used as an Impact Player by either team.
Earlier in SMAT, the impact player had to be brought in by or before the 14th over and had to be named before the toss. The application of the IPL version of the rule in SMAT this season was approved at the BCCI Apex Council meeting in Mumbai on Friday.
“Both teams are allowed to use one Impact Player per match. It is, however, not compulsory,” read one of the guidelines on the rule.
The rule witnessed mixed opinions during the 10-team T20 league but was smoothly applied throughout the tournament.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting and Delhi Capitals head coach had said that it almost negated the role of an all-rounder in the side.
“It actually almost negates the role of allrounders in the game now. So unless they’re absolutely world-class and they’re getting picked either as a batsman or as a bowler, not sort of a bits and pieces guy, then I don’t think you’ll see many, many teams this year actually use the guy that might bat at seven and maybe bowling over or two. Because you don't need those guys anymore,” Ponting had said.
BCCI Approve Asian Games Participation
The board also approved the Indian men's and women's teams' participation in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou in September-October.
A strong and full-strength women's side is set to feature in the enormous event while the men's team is expected to feature young stars including some domestic players considering the fact that the main team will be busy in the ODI World Cup at home during that time.
Cricket has been played only thrice in Asian Games history and the last time it was held in Incheon was in 2014 when India did not take part.
India's star player Shikhar Dhawan who currently is out of the senior team setup is expected to be leading the men's side, a competition that begins on September 28.
BCCI focussed on contributing to the national cause and decided to field a team despite the crowded international schedule considering both men's and women's teams will be favorites to win gold in their respective categories.
“Through effective planning, communication, and coordination, the BCCI aims to navigate those challenges successfully and contribute to the national cause by fielding a team in both men’s and women's categories in line with the Government of India's directions,” the board said.
