SA20 to consider Impact Player rule in 2025 edition inspired by IPL 2024

Sunrisers Eastern Cape winners of the SA20 2024 Final (Source: Twitter)

India’s biggest cricket carnival aka Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) has created excitement among fans. While the ridiculously high-scoring games have changed the game forever, many are raising concerns over bowlers being out of contention. The Impact Player rule in the IPL has been a hot topic as it adds a different dimension to the traditional form of cricket. Amidst all this hullabaloo, SA20 is also considering embracing the Impact Player rule from the next edition of the league. 

The meeting over the change will be held after the ICC releases its updated playing conditions. The ICC’s playing conditions are generally published on October 1. The SA20 will be ripe for the kind of revolution being seen in the IPL, given the rule is approved. The rule has its own drawbacks as the role of all-rounders gets snatched with an added bowler or batter. Among many, South African great Jacques Kallis has also raised alarms about the implications.

“It’s a terrible rule. You’re negating the allrounder, and I don’t think that’s good for cricket. Especially for India, who are trying to grow their allrounders. As an allrounder, I don’t want to see that. You want them to play a major role. Also, there’s a very small chance of being bowled out because you’re basically playing with eight batters,” said Kallis as quoted by Cricbuzz.

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“That makes a big difference, and that’s why the scores have gone crazy. Yes, the batters have taken the game to the next level, but I definitely don’t agree that there should be an impact player. If your team is doing well your side doesn’t change much. Then guys sit on the sidelines and do nothing. So they could get gametime as impact players. That’s probably the only bonus, but it’s still not good for the game,” he added.

IPL 2024 bearing consequences of Impact player rule

The impact of the rule has been witnessed by fans and pundits alike in the IPL 2024. For instance, Sunrisers Hyderabad created history by posting the highest-ever total in the IPL. They amassed 287 runs bettering their own record of 277 in the same season. To add more woes, Punjab Kings chased down the highest-ever chase total against Kolkata Knight Riders, thanks to the rule.