In a significant rule change for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that two bouncers per over will now be allowed. The decision was made during the BCCI’s 19th Apex Council meeting held in Mumbai on Friday. The aim is to restore balance between batsmen and bowlers in the T20 format.
Until now, the format only permitted one bouncer per over. However, the BCCI believes that allowing two bouncers will create a more even contest between bat and ball. The board mentioned in a media release on Saturday that this change is intended to address the dominance of batsmen in T20 cricket.
The Impact Player rule, which was introduced in the SMAT 2022, has also been tweaked by the BCCI. The modified version used in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will now be implemented in the upcoming edition of SMAT as well. Under the revised rule, teams will have to select their playing XI along with four substitute players before the toss. This update removes the earlier restriction of only being able to use the Impact Player before the 14th over, allowing teams to utilize the Impact Player at any point during the match.
Considering the success of the Impact Player rule in SMAT and its subsequent inclusion in the IPL, it is possible that the two bouncers per over rule might find its way into the IPL in the future.
In addition to these rule changes, the BCCI has also announced plans to upgrade stadiums in two phases. The first phase will focus on venues hosting matches for the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup, and it is expected to be completed before the tournament scheduled for October-November. The remaining venues will be upgraded in the second phase.
Another noteworthy decision is the approval for both the men’s and women’s cricket teams to participate in the Asian Games 2023. Considering the overlapping schedule of the Asian Games with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the BCCI will select players who are not participating in the World Cup to represent India in the Asian Games.
Overall, the BCCI’s rule changes and decisions aim to bring about a more balanced and competitive cricketing environment, both domestically and internationally. By allowing two bouncers per over, the board hopes to provide a fairer contest between batsmen and bowlers in the T20 format. The modifications to the Impact Player rule and the upgrades to stadiums demonstrate the board’s commitment to continuously improving the game and providing better facilities for players and fans alike.
