Cricket

The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, has sparked mixed reactions among players and coaches. While some, like India captain Rohit Sharma, believe it hinders the development of all-rounders, others, including former India coach Ravi Shastri, see its benefits.Shastri believes the rule has contributed to thrilling finishes in the IPL. "It's got tighter finishes. You have to evolve with the times and I think it's a good rule," he said. He cited the example of Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut for India after starting his IPL career as an Impact Player.BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that the rule is not permanent and will be reviewed after the 2024 T20 World Cup. "We will consult with the players, franchises, broadcasters [and take a call]. This is not permanent [but] I am not saying that it will go," he said.Rohit Sharma was the first high-profile Indian player to criticize the rule, which allows teams to bring in a 12th player at any point in a match to replace a player from the original XI. Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar of Delhi Capitals (DC) also expressed their disapproval.DC head coach Ricky Ponting, however, acknowledged the rule's potential to enhance the tournament's spectacle. "But from my perspective as a coach, he admitted he wasn't too keen on the rule, calling it a "nightmare," he said.Despite the differing opinions, the Impact Player rule has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the IPL. It remains to be seen whether it will become a permanent fixture in the tournament or be phased out after further evaluation.

The Indian Premier League's (IPL) "Impact Player" rule, introduced in 2023, has sparked debate. However, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah maintains that the board has received no feedback on the rule and will review it after the T20 World Cup.Shah emphasized the rule's benefits, stating that it provides opportunities for two additional Indian players. He highlighted the increased competitiveness it brings to the game. However, he acknowledged that if players express concerns, the board will address them."After the IPL and the World Cup, we will have a meeting and decide," Shah said. "It's not a permanent rule, nor am I saying we will move past it."Shah also clarified that the revival of the Champions League T20 tournament has not been discussed with the ICC, despite claims by Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins.Regarding speculation about his potential candidacy for ICC chair, Shah remained evasive. "Let me be here in BCCI," he said. "Let there be speculation. But let me be here (in the BCCI). Am I not doing a good job?"

Ishan Kishan, the talented wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand, has found himself in a precarious position after being excluded from the BCCI's central contract list. However, a recent conversation with BCCI secretary Jay Shah has sparked hope for a potential comeback.Kishan's exclusion from the contract list was a result of his reluctance to play first-class cricket. Despite repeated attempts by the Indian team management to involve him, he did not participate in any Ranji Trophy games this season. Instead, he opted to practice with his Mumbai Indians skipper, Hardik Pandya, in preparation for the IPL.This decision ultimately cost him his contract, but Shah's gesture of engaging in conversation with Kishan and national captain Rohit Sharma could be a sign of a potential thaw. While the contents of the discussion remain unknown, the fact that Shah, an influential figure in Indian cricket, is showing interest in Kishan is a positive development.Kishan's chances of a comeback in the T20 World Cup have dwindled in recent months, with Rishabh Pant back in contention and KL Rahul also expressing his desire to keep wickets. However, the IPL provides him with a massive opportunity to make a case for himself with consistent performances.The presence of national captain Rohit during Shah's conversation with Kishan is significant. It suggests that Kishan's performance will be the primary factor in determining his future with the Indian team, despite his past attitude issues.Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard has also expressed confidence in Kishan, stating that he is an "experienced" player within the setup and expects big things from him. With the selectors traveling to select IPL games to check on World Cup hopefuls, Kishan has a golden opportunity to prove his worth.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently implemented a new rule mandating all centrally contracted cricketers, who are not with the national team, to participate in red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit. This decision was made to address the growing concern of players missing domestic cricket, which is seen as crucial for their development and match fitness.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for players' overall growth and stated that no excuses would be tolerated in this matter. He mentioned that all contracted players have been informed about this rule and that they must adhere to it. Shah also clarified that this rule is not specifically targeted at any particular player, such as Ishan Kishan, who was recently in the news for reportedly being asked by the BCCI to play for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.In the midst of this controversy, reports emerged that Shreyas Iyer had made himself unavailable for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarterfinals citing injury concerns. However, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has confirmed that Iyer has no 'fresh injuries' and was fit to play. This has raised questions about the validity of Iyer's injury claims and whether he is genuinely injured or simply avoiding domestic cricket.Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan took to social media to express his concern about the different rules seemingly being applied to different players regarding their participation in domestic cricket. He questioned why some players are allowed to skip domestic matches under the pretext of looking after their bodies while others are expected to play.The BCCI's decision to enforce mandatory participation in domestic cricket is a significant step towards ensuring that players are adequately prepared for international cricket. Domestic cricket provides players with the opportunity to gain valuable experience, improve their skills, and build their match fitness. By mandating their participation, the BCCI aims to raise the overall standard of Indian cricket and produce players who are ready to compete at the highest level.