Indian Cricket Board to discuss Impact Player Rule with Indian T20 League owners

The ‘Impact Player’ rule is expected to be a critical topic in the forthcoming meeting between the Indian Cricket Board and the franchise owners, slated for Wednesday evening. As per one page, five-point agenda shared with the franchise owners, the Indian Cricket Board is looking for some kind of consensus on the ‘Impact Player Rule’ that has split the cricket community in the Indian T20 League.

The meeting will be held on July 31 at 07:30 PM in the Indian Cricket Board office on the fourth floor of the Wankhede Stadium Complex. 

The ‘Impact Player’ rule, introduced in 2022, has led to introspection and debate within the ecosystem. While the coaching and playing fraternity is believed to be mostly opposed to it, the broadcasters who have put approximately Rs 48,000 crore into the league appear strongly in favour. 

The Indian Cricket Board itself seems unsure on the matter, which perhaps explains why the point has been included in the meeting agenda. While the Board officials admire the rule which presents an opportunity to an additional Indian player, they also have their doubts that it can negatively impact the development of all-rounders- players who are critical to a team’s success at any instance of the competition. 

It may not be surprising if the Indian Cricket Board decides to get rid of the rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali domestic T20 competition, where it was first brought into use a couple of years ago. A rethink on the rule is underway as per the indications from within the Indian Cricket Board, however, no final call has yet been made. It is expected to officially drop a decision in a few days. 

The retention issue is also another point of the agenda. Item No 1 of the agenda compiles the points for consideration:    

ITEM NO. 1: Discussion on Ind T20 League Player Regulations including:

1. Players Retention / Right to Match
2. Salary Cap (Auction Purse, Incremental Performance Pay & Match Fee)
3. Big Auction
4. Capped to uncapped players
5. Player Trade / Player Loan

As apparent in the agenda above, the Ind T20 League franchise and the Indian Cricket Board seem to be receptive to providing increments to a performing player each year. Although, there is no mention of expanding the auction cycle from three to five. 

The other items on the agenda are:

ITEM NO. 2: Overseas Players

ITEM NO. 3: Discussion on Impact Player Rule

ITEM NO. 4: Ind T20 League Gaming rights

ITEM NO. 5: Discussion on Ind T20 League Central Merchandising

ITEM NO. 6: To consider any other business matters related to the Ind T20 League.}