Kolkata : Sobisco Smashers Malda Batter and Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran has appreciated Mohammad Shami’s presence in ongoing Bengal T20 League, however, taken a dig at ‘Impact Player’ Rule.
Mohammad Shami , the Indian iconic pacer who has been pivotal in many India’s wins, having claimed 462 international wickets and 147 IPL wickets is playing for Servotech Siliguri Strikers in Bengal T20 League 2026. This is also the first season for him where he featured and played in a playing XI, and made history last night with hattrick against Shrachi Rarh Tigers, the first player in the tournament’s history to do so.
According to Easwaran, Shami’s presence will be crucial for Siliguri due to his experience, and it’s beneficial for Bengal T20 League. Even the viewership might increase due to Shami’s presence. Easwaran also acknowledged the fact that Shami is playing this league even after tiring IPL season for Lucknow Super Giants.
“It’s very good for the team he (Shami) is playing for, he will be able to share his experience with them, viewership will increase, as he’s an international player, claiming almost 500 wickets. So it’s very beneficial for the Bengal T20 League that he’s here even after playing whole IPL season, it’s a good sign for Bengal Cricket”.
However, Easwaran, who has also captained India A bashed Impact Player Rule. The Impact Player rule is a T20 tactical substitution allowing teams to replace one member of their starting XI with a designated “Impact Player” from a pre-named list of five substitutes. Introduced in the 2023 IPL season, the rule permits the substitute to actively bat and bowl. This rule was later adapted in Bengal T20, JC Mukherjee Trophy, NC Chatterjee by CAB.
According to Easwaran, this rule is not good for producing allrounders and one of the reasons why Indian team is getting less allrounders.
“I’m not in favour of Impact Player, as I feel Indian team is getting very less allrounders. If this rule isn’t here, I think many Batters will bowl and Bowlers will Bat”.
