Innovation is the name of the game and keeping up with the changing times is the biggest challenge for anyone and everyone in this world. It seems like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to jump on the bandwagon with an introduction of an ‘impact player’ as part of the new substitution rule, specifically in the T20 tournaments.
According to a report in the Indian Express, the rule will allow teams to replace any one member of their playing XI during a match, which they think will enhance their chances of winning. The rule is set to come into effect in the upcoming edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, which will begin on October 11.
“Teams need to identify playing XI and 4 substitutes at the time of the toss. Out of the 4 substitutes named in the team sheet, only one of the players can be used as an Impact player,” the report quoted a BCCI circular regarding the rule.
As per BCCI, introducing new dimensions in the game has become imperative with the growing popularity of T20s, which will not only attract the viewers but for teams as well from the strategic point of view.
The rule, however, isn’t new for the T20 audiences as it was first introduced in the Big Bash League (BBL) as the ‘X-Factor Player’ where a team will be able to get their 12th or 13th player in the squad, into the playing XI after the 10th over of the first innings, replacing a player who is yet to bat or hasn’t bowled more than one over, if they feel it will be useful.
