BCCI to discuss the Impact Player rule with IPL team owners in upcoming meeting.

The BCCI will discuss the Impact Player rule with IPL team owners

The Impact Player rule has sparked divided opinions.

The ‘Impact Player’ rule is set to be a key topic in the upcoming meeting between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the franchise owners, scheduled for Wednesday evening.

According to a one-page, five-point agenda shared with the franchise owners, the BCCI is looking for consensus on the ‘Impact Player’ rule, which has divided the cricket community in the IPL.

This meeting, initially reported by Cricpulse, will take place on July 31 at 7:30 pm in the BCCI office on the fourth floor of the Wankhede Stadium Complex.

The ‘Impact Player’ rule, introduced a couple of years ago, has sparked considerable introspection and debate within the IPL ecosystem.

While the playing and coaching community is believed to be largely opposed to it, the broadcasters—who have invested over Rs 48,000 crore into the league—strongly favor its continuation.

The BCCI itself appears undecided on the matter, which may explain why the point has been included in the meeting agenda.

Board officials broadly appreciate that the rule provides an opportunity for an additional Indian player, but they are also sensitive to concerns that it might negatively impact the development of all-rounders—players crucial to a team’s success at any level of the competition.

It may not be surprising if the BCCI decides to eliminate the rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali domestic T20 competition, where it was first trialed a couple of years ago.

There are strong indications from within the BCCI that a rethink on the rule is underway, although no final decision has been made.

It is expected to take a call in a few days.

The other points of the agenda, as expected, will be on the retention issue.

The first item on the agenda lists the following points for consideration:

  1. Discussion on IPL Player Regulations including:
    • Player Retention / Right to Match
    • Salary Cap (Auction Purse, Incremental Performance Pay & Match Fee)
    • Big Auction
    • Capped to Uncapped Players
    • Player Trade / Player Loan

As evident in the agenda, the IPL franchises and the BCCI seem open to the suggestion of providing increments to a performing player each year.

However, there is no mention of expanding the auction cycle from the existing three to five years.

The other items on the agenda are:

  1. Overseas Players
  2. Discussion on Impact Player Rule
  3. IPL Gaming Rights
  4. Discussion on IPL Central Merchandising
  5. Consideration of any other business matters related to the IPL.

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