SMAT 2024: Impact Player Rule under review, secretary Jay Shah to make final decision

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are still in a dilemma regarding the future of the Impact Player Rule in the domestic circuit. In the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a few senior players voiced against the rule, as India captain Rohit Sharma called it entertaining but added that he isn’t a big fan of it as it stops an all-rounder from making an impact.

After his comments, BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that the management would give it a thought and recently had a discussion with all the IPL owners about the same. Meanwhile, the apex council is still in doubt whether to apply the rule in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). However, it has been decided that in case the rule stays, the 12th player will be eligible to earn 100% of the match fee. 

“With regards to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, if a team decides to use the 'Impact Player' during the match, he will be eligible for 100 per cent match fees over and above the playing XI,” the BCCI has said as quoted by Cricbuzz. As things stand, the secretary holds the power and will be making the final decision, which is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

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Notably, SMAT can also indicate the future of the rule in the IPL. In case it stays, the BCCI is likely to keep it in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league as well. As per a mail shared by them, the ‘men’s playing condition will be shared shortly’ with all the participating teams and media. 

The BCCI also made it clear that players of the national team, who have central contracts, will be entitled to a match fee based on his/her status as either a playing or non-playing member of the squad.

“(I) 15 players will be eligible for Match fees (Playing XI will be eligible for 100 percent while the remaining 4 will be entitled for 50 per cent). (II) In case, where a Team India cricketer is deputed by the BCCI to participate in domestic cricket, he or she will be eligible for match fee over and above the 15 players based on his Playing XI and non-Playing XI status in the matches,” it read.