BCCI is said to be looking at the two-bouncer-per-over regulation that was placed into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) last year and then followed in IPL 2024. The basis for this shift in rules was to ensure a fair equilibrium between bat and ball, at a time when some quarters argued that cricket is fast turning out to be too much in favor of the batsmen.
This bouncer review comes alongside the much-discussed Impact Player rule which has divided opinions within the cricketing community. An official from a state unit told Cricbuzz, “We understand that these are indeed critical points concerning the Impact Player and two bouncer rules but no decision has been taken yet.”
BCCI has not given any explanation up to now as to why the bouncer rule is being reconsidered and has not even shared playing conditions for the coming SMAT, which is India’s domestic T20 tournament. An official note by BCCI and addressed to its state units says ‘Men’s T20 Playing Conditions will be shared shortly’.
While the two-bouncer rule was received positively in SMAT and then IPL, the Impact Player has not been universally accepted. There are those who call for its abolishment on grounds that it discourages use of allrounders in playing XIs and thus would affect their growth.
Nonetheless, others argue that this will permit teams to give a chance to many “uncapped players”.
“Recently, Zaheer said at an event held in Kolkata that the sub rule impact is what we have been discussing. I want it on record that I do support it wholeheartedly. A number of uncapped Indian players have received opportunities from this initiative. Remember when teams make their moves during mega auction?”
The impact-sub rule is unlikely to affect genuine allrounders according to Zaheer who has been appointed mentor by IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants.
“At the moment there is no space for half all-rounder due to impact sub’, but a true all-rounder cannot be stopped by anybody else,’ he revealed. The capacity to bat and bowl adds value,” he added.
