The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) convened its 19th Apex Council meeting, on Friday, to discuss important matters pertaining to the future of Indian cricket.
One significant decision made during the meeting was to formulate a policy in relation to participation of Indian players in overseas T20 leagues, which includes retired players. This policy aims to provide clarity and guidelines for players who wish to participate in such leagues while maintaining the integrity of Indian cricket.
“We will be coming out with a policy to prevent the trend of pre-determined retirements,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said to reporters. “Once the policy is decided in a month or so, we will send it back to the Apex Council for approval.”
In another important development, the BCCI confirmed the participation of both the men’s and women’s cricket teams in the upcoming Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, in September 2023. However, due to the overlapping of schedules with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the board has decided to pick a second-string squad for the Asian Games.
The concept of the Impact Player in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will continue in the next season but with two variations. Teams will now have to select their playing XI along with four substitute players before the toss. Additionally, teams will have the freedom to use the Impact Player at any time during the match, as opposed to being restricted to the first 14 overs in the previous season.
To strike a balance between bat and ball, the BCCI decided to introduce the allowance of two bouncers per over in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This move is expected to make the competition more competitive and enhance the contest.
Furthermore, the BCCI announced its commitment to the upgradation of stadiums across the country. The upgradation process will occur in two phases. The first phase will focus on the venues hosting the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, with work expected to be completed before the commencement of the tournament. The second phase will involve the upgradation of the remaining venues, further elevating the cricketing infrastructure in India.