The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held its 19th Apex Council meeting on Friday, where they took a number of key decisions including around the participation of Indian players in overseas T20 leagues.

The BCCI held the meeting on July 7, where decisions on India’s appearance in the Asian Games later this year were discussed as well as the Impact Player rule, which had been introduced in the domestic T20 league Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, and continued in the 2023 Indian Premier League.

Here are some key decisions that were taken:

Participation of players in overseas leagues

Currently, a player from India can only take part in an overseas T20 league only if they have announced their complete retirement from Indian cricket – including international, domestic and the IPL. In the past, players such as Irfan Pathan and Robin Uthappa have spoken about the reluctance of the BCCI to allow players who are not in the reckoning for an international call-up from participating in overseas competitions.

In the apex meeting, the BCCI stated that they will formulate a policy for their players, including retired cricketers, with regards to their appearances in foreign leagues.

Incidentally, Ambati Rayudu, who retired from IPL but was set to feature in the inaugural Major League Cricket for Texas Super Kings, withdrew hours later, following BCCI’s proposal to introduce a one-year cooling off period for retired players, before they can participate in overseas leagues.

Participating in the 2023 Asian Games

The Asian Games will be held from September 23, 2023, and will also have a cricket competition, both for the men’s and women’s teams. In 2022, the Commonwealth Games had a women’s cricket competition, which was won by Australia, with India bagging the silver medal.

The first time cricket was introduced in the competition was in 2010 when Bangladesh won the gold medal in the men’s event and Pakistan in the women’s. Sri Lanka won the men’s gold four years later, with Pakistan bagging the gold once more. India have never taken part in the Asian Games.

The BCCI has confirmed both the women’s and men’s teams will play in the upcoming event in Hangzhou, China. However, as the Games will clash with the 50-over World Cup, only players not picked for the event in India will be eligible for selection in the Asian Games.

Tweaks to the Impact Player, the limit of bouncers per over rule in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

The SMAT first introduced the impact player rule in 2022 and will continue in the upcoming season as well. However, there are two changes to the rules. Last year, the captains brought two team sheets for the coin toss and could announce their XI and impact player candidates after the flip. However, in the upcoming season, the two sides will have to announce their playing XIs and four substitutes before the toss takes place.

Last year, the impact player could only be used before the 14th over of the innings, but from 2023/24, they will be allowed to use an impact sub at any stage, like it was in the IPL.

The BCCI also have allowed bowling teams to send down two bouncers per over to “balance the contest between the bat and ball.”

This year’s SMAT will be held from October 16 and run till November 6.

Upgradation of the stadiums in India by BCCI

There is a two-step proposal to upgrade stadiums in India, keeping in mind the World Cup later this year. The 10 venues that will host the World Cup matches will get immediate attention and will be renovated before the tournament begins, the other stadiums will be upgraded post the World Cup.