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Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022: BCCI introduces 'Impact Player' concept

Tejas Rathi

image-l84tc3d5Dinesh Karthik and Shahrukh Khan in SMAT 2021 (PC: Twitter)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 'Impact Player' rule to allow one substitution for each team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2022. 

SMAT 2022 is slated to be played from October 11 to November 5, and will witness the participation of 38 domestic teams. 

According to the apex board, the novel concept will turn out to be interesting for the viewers and help teams in their tactical strategy. 

The impact player should be from the outside of the Playing XI, and will only be allowed after the completion of the 14th over of either innings in a fixture. 

BCCI in a note has spelt out that the experiment is only restricted to SMAT, and no decision has been made to use it in the Women's matches or the IPL. 

The concerned captain or the team manager will have the responsibility to inform the substitution changes to the fourth umpire. Furthermore, only 11 players will be allowed to participate in a game at any stage. 

Here is what BCCI said in a note: 

"The concept is to allow one substitute player per team to take a more active part in a match. This would add a new tactical/strategic dimension to the game. A number of team sports allow teams to make tactical substitutes i.e. football, rugby, basketball, and baseball. The substitute is allowed to perform or participate like any other regular player."


Explanation of Impact Player concept 

The impact player can only be introduced after the end of an over, and not during the middle of an over. A total of four substitutes will have to be announced at the toss by both teams.

For example, if Team A has batted their full quota of 20 overs, and wants to have an extra bowling option in the second half, they can avail the facility of this rule.

Furthermore, Team B chasing down the total against Team A can increase their batting depth by replacing any bowler with one of the substitutes. 

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