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No Impact Player Rule In IPL 2025? 3 Positive Changes BCCI Can Adapt From SA20

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

SA20 Trophy and IPL Trophy [Source: @pmtarun, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]SA20 Trophy and IPL Trophy [Source: @pmtarun, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

The Indian Premier League is considered the biggest franchise league in the world at present. The Grand League has been the pioneer in showing the way for the commercialization of cricket.

While IPL has paved the way for many new leagues in different countries, there remains scope for improvement. IPL has aged like fine wine and will turn 18 this year; however, SA20 is just three years old. However, there are a few things IPL can adapt from the still-young league. 

3. Bonus Point System

In the league stage of IPL, the teams are awarded 2 points for each win. This does not provide the scope to reward extra special performances and utter dominance shown by the teams in some games.

SA20 awards four points for each win to the teams; however, if a team manages to have a run rate of 1.25 times of the opposition, it is awarded five points. That one bonus point goes down to show the domination of the unit in the game. These bonus points come in handy towards the end of the league stage when more than one team have the same number of wins. 

Adapting the bonus point system from SA20 could be an improvement over IPL's current net run rate-based tie-breaking system.

2. Captains Allowed To Select Form Two Different Playing Combinations During Toss

One of the newest innovations of SA20 is its playing combination selection. The captains of the two teams involved in a game can name two squads ahead of the toss. At the toss, the skipper selects either of two combinations depending on what they are doing (bat or bowl) first in the game.

IPL has a similar rule, but it is more player-specific. In IPL, the teams are allowed to name five substitute players before the start of the game. Depending on the match's situation and the game's demands, they can select one of these five players to come in as an impact substitute.

Many players involved in IPL, like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have stated that the impact player rule has made the game more unidimensional. So, introducing the two-playing XI rules could be better for IPL.

1. No Overthrow Runs

SA20 encourages positive and attacking fielding. In the league, there is a rule that no runs can be taken off an intentional attempt to run out the batter if a direct hit deflects off the stumps. 

This makes fielding a bigger and more critical aspect of the game and adds another layer. Such rules would make T20 a less batter-dominated and unidimensional arena and force the teams to think more about selecting the players they want on the field.