Former India coach Ravi Shastri has come in support of using SUPER SUB in the middle of a cricket match –an option that was made available during September 16’s LLC match between India Maharajas & World Giants.
The 2nd season of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) got underway yesterday with an exhibition match that India Maharajas dominated.
Interestingly, the inaugural match allowed both teams to use a mid-match substitute player or SUPER SUB in an off-field move.
Shastri bats for Super Subs in T20Is
Ravi Shastri (the official Match Commissioner for LLC season 2) has come out in favor of the decision. He says, “I see this game evolving all the time. Who knows tomorrow it (substitutes) might be something that is used even at the International level. Don’t be surprised because this (T20) is one format that can evolve.”
Ravi Shastri adds that platforms like BBL and IPL are the perfect place to experiment with such stuff before they make it to the T20Is.
“One can create your own rules in tournaments like these or even in the IPL, or the Big Bash. If you want to experiment or try something new, this (T20I and T20 leagues) is the place to do it”.
To put it into context, Australia’s Big Bash League has previously experimented with allowing players to be swapped in the middle of a match.
Similar to the X-FACTOR feature of the BBL, the Ravi Shastri-headed Legends League Cricket is now allowing the same substitution process in the tournament.
In addition to the playing eleven, 2 players can be named as SUPER SUBSTITUTES (subs) at toss time.
BCCI to allow IMPACT PLAYERS in IPL?
The Board of Cricket Council (BCCI) is planning to allow one player to be substituted by a Super Sub by the 14-over mark of both innings in India’s domestic T20 leagues, as per a report from The Indian Express.
It appears that the BCCI agrees with the opinion Ravi Shastri shared a day ago and may bring the idea into IPL. The rule is gonna come into effect in the upcoming edition of the SMAT T20, which’s slated to get underway in October.
The BCCI is going to allow 4 players to be named as potential substitutes at toss time and allow ONE such player to replace a player from the playing XI in the middle of the match.
The substitute will be called ‘IMPACT PLAYERS’.
“With the ever-growing popularity of T20 cricket, it’s imperative that we look at introducing new dimensions (like substitutes).”
“It will make this format more attractive and interesting not only for viewers but also the participating teams from a strategic viewpoint,” the BCCI circular is quoted by The Indian Express.