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[Saba Sports News] The impact player rule, which has been a significant talking point in the IPL, might soon find its way into the SA20. According to reports, discussions about incorporating this rule are expected during the next planning session for the 2025 SA20, following the ICC’s updated playing conditions release on October 1. Although this rule could revolutionize the SA20 as it has in the IPL, it faced resistance last year due to timing with the player auction and concerns about its effects on all-rounders and player development.
Jacques Kallis, a prominent opponent of the rule, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “It’s a terrible rule. You’re negating the allrounder, and I don’t think that’s good for cricket.”
He pointed out the potential for increased scores and reduced game dynamics due to the rule but acknowledged a possible benefit for players struggling to break into the starting XI.
Despite Kallis’s good relations with SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith, who has yet to comment, the booming scores in the IPL and the ownership connections between IPL and SA20 franchises suggest the rule might still be considered. The SA20 has a modest substitution system, but the impact player rule in the IPL has led to remarkable scoring feats and strategic gameplays that might tempt SA20 to adopt a similar approach.
Last year, the IPL saw record-breaking scores and centuries due to the strategic use of impact players. The SA20 itself has seen growth in viewership and engagement, though still lagging behind the IPL. With the dynamic and evolving nature of cricket, especially in shorter formats, the debate over the impact player rule continues to stir discussions on its potential benefits and drawbacks.