In the wake of upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, Team India captain Rohit Sharma indicated that IPL's impact player rule is limiting bowling opportunities for Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar, affecting alternatives for Hardik Pandya in the marquee tournament. The IPL's ‘Impact substitute’ rule has injected a thrilling layer of strategy into the competition. This rule allows teams to swap a player from their starting XI with someone on the bench at any point after the toss. This flexibility allows teams to adapt to the match situation. For example, a team can start with an extra batter and then replace them with a bowler later in the innings, or vice versa. This strategic decision-making has been a highlight of the IPL this year.
Several Indian players have emerged as impactful substitutes, including Shivam Dube (Chennai Super Kings), Mohit Sharma (Gujarat Titans), Mahipal Lomror (Royal Challengers Bangalore), and Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders). Among them, Shivam Dube's performances have garnered the most attention recently.
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Rohit Sharma against IPL's Impact Player rule
The IPL's ‘Impact substitute’ rule, while adding a strategic twist to the games, has sparked concerns from Indian captain Rohit Sharma. This rule allows teams to replace a player from the starting XI with someone on the bench at any point after the toss.
According to reports, the BCCI has informed all-rounders that their selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 will be based on both batting and bowling abilities. This focus on bowling creates a potential challenge for Hardik Pandya, a regular for India in limited-overs formats and even a stand-in captain.
Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) Shivam Dube has emerged as a strong contender for the T20 World Cup spot. Dube has impressed as an ‘impact sub’, typically replacing a bowler and contributing valuable runs with a high strike rate and average this season. However, Rohit Sharma suggests the impact sub rule limits the opportunity for all-rounders like Pandya to showcase their complete skillset, potentially affecting their World Cup selection chances.
While Shivam Dube's impressive batting as an ‘impact sub’ has put him in contention for the World Cup squad, concerns remain about his bowling abilities. In the IPL, he hasn't had the opportunity to showcase his all-around skills due to the impact sub role, which typically involves replacing a bowler and focusing solely on batting. This lack of recent bowling experience could be a disadvantage compared to someone like Hardik Pandya, who contributes significantly with both bat and ball. Rohit Sharma acknowledged this issue during his appearance on the ‘Club Prairie Fire’ podcast hosted by Adam Gilchrist.
I am not a big fan of impact sub rule: Rohit Sharma
“I am not big fan of impact sub rule. It is going to hold all-rounders back, guys like Dube & Sundar aren’t getting to bowl which is not a good thing for us - it is entertaining as there are 12 players, giving lots of options,” Rohit said in the podcast.
Rohit Sharma's take on the ‘impact sub’ rule highlights the potential challenge it poses for all-rounders like Hardik Pandya. While Shivam Dube's batting prowess has been impressive, his limited bowling opportunities as an impact sub raise questions about his ability to replicate a complete all-rounder role. This could impact selection decisions for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The BCCI selectors will need to carefully evaluate players' skills and ensure they choose a balanced squad that can excel in all facets of the game.
Meanwhile, India's T20 World Cup campaign will begin on June 5. In a strategic move, the team will stagger their departure, with some players heading to the USA a week prior to the start of the tournament. Those still competing in the IPL will fly out following the final on May 16, with their departure dates contingent upon their IPL team's progress. India will first take on Ireland on June 5 which will be followed by high-octane clash against their arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9 in New York. India will then continue their group stage journey, taking on the USA on June 12 and Canada on June 15.
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