'It is something you will see...': LSG mentor Zaheer Khan opens up on impact player rule in IPL

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) newly appointed mentor Zaheer Khan reckoned that the impact player rule in the cash-rich league will give a huge boost to young Indian players. The impact substitute rule, introduced in IPL 2023, has evoked mixed reactions. Many cricketers opposed the impact player rule by saying that this would be dangerous for the all-rounders. 

However, Zaheer said that there is no space for a half-all-rounder because of the impact sub (rule). But if you are a genuine all-rounder, (then) no one can stop you. 

"There has been a debate around the impact sub rule. I'm going on record to say that I'm all for it," Zaheer told reporters after he was unveiled as mentor at its team owner's headquarters here.

During a meeting between IPL team owners and BCCI officials late in July, there was no consensus among teams on continuing with the impact player rule along with several other key points such as having a mega auction or not.

But the 45-year-old former Mumbai Indians' player and franchise's director of cricket said the rule has given a huge boost to young Indian players.

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"It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents. It is something you will see this in the mega auction when teams will be looking at them," he said.

"That opportunity goes a long way with improving Indian cricket on the whole. The time spent in match time, it's something you cannot beat. That's the biggest plus."

"As far as all-rounders are concerned, right now there is no space for a half-all-rounder because of the impact sub (rule). But if you are a genuine all-rounder, (then) no one can stop you. There is always going to be a value addition with the ability with bat and ball," he added.

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