BCCI scraps Impact Player rule from Syed Mushtaq Ali 2024; Will it be part of IPL 2025? Huge update revealed

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has scrapped the controversial Impact Player rule in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament. The contentious rule first came into being in the same tournament in late 2022 before it was introduced in IPL 2023. While the rule may be scrapped in domestic cricket it will be retained for IPL 2025. 

Indian Cricket Board put out a short statement late on Monday night which read “Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of the 'Impact Player' for the ongoing season”. According to reports the rule will stay till IPL 2027 before any decision can be taken. 

Many players including Rohit Sharma had raised concerns over the rule. The 37-year-old had said that the rule had impacted the growth of the players. Rohit during an appearance on the Club Prairie Podcast a few months ago had revealed his reservations about the rule. 

Rohit Sharma had said “I generally feel that it is going to hold back (development of allrounders) because eventually cricket is played by 11 players, not 12 players. I'm not a big fan of impact players. You are taking out so much from the game just to make it a little entertainment for the people around”

BCCI amends rules ahead of new white ball domestic season in India

While the Impact Player rule is gone, the Indian cricket board has retained the two-bouncer rule. During his chat with Cricbuzz, former Indian bowler L Balaji termed his move ‘excellent’ as it keeps bowlers in play. 

Balaji said to Cricbuzz “It's an excellent move. It will be a good addition to the armoury of fast bowlers and will provide bowlers, captains, and coaching staff with something to strategise and work with for a particular batter. It will also make the contest between bat and ball much more balanced."

Meanwhile, ESPN CRICINFO quoted Saurashtra coach Jay Odedra voicing his support after scrapping the Impact player rule. "It is a nice change. Also, the ICC doesn't have this rule in major tournaments So it would be good for cricketers who want to play for India as they graduate from domestic season."