The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to take a call on Indian Premier League (IPL) player retention and the infamous ‘impact player rule’ in the next few days. Sports Tak has learnt that there is difference of opinion among the franchises about the number of players that can be retained ahead of the mega auction.
"We have taken the feedback from team owners. So far, nobody is on the same page and everyone has their own theory about the retentions, be it the franchise or in the BCCI. We will soon discuss all the aspects internally and announce it,” a source told Sports Tak.
While nothing has been finalised yet, the impact player rule may be abolished. Also, a franchise may be able to retain up to six players.
‘It may be between four to six players. Also, you may not see impact player rule. Nothing is final for now and the impact player rule will be discussed as well.”
Ashwin defends ‘impact player’ rule
While may current and former cricketers have criticised the ‘impact player’ rule after record-breaking high-scoring matches in the previous season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder has defended it. He feels that the rule gives the franchise a strategic advantage.
"Why I think the Impact Player rule is not so bad is because it gives a little more value for strategy. The other side of that argument is it doesn't encourage all-rounders. But no one is stopping them. "In this generation, they don't do it [batters bowling and vice-versa]. It's not like they're discouraged because of the Impact Player rule. Look at Venkatesh Iyer, he's currently rocking for Lancashire. There's an opportunity for innovation and it makes the game fairer." Ashwin said on Kris Srikkanth's YouTube show Cheeky Cheeka.
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The impact player rule was introduced in 2023 edition of the IPL. Ashwin also pointed out how the impact player helps both sides.
"Sunrisers [Hyderabad] brought in Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player [vs Rajasthan Royals, after hitting 175 for 9 batting first]; he went on to become a match-winner. When dew has the potential to make games one-sided, teams bowling second get an extra option as a counter. If you're batting second, you can tactically make a substitution by offloading the extra bowler for a batter. Games are tighter, an extra player is getting to play. Barring Kolkata or Mumbai, where scores skyrocketed, they haven't been a drastic change elsewhere. Like at Punjab Kings' home venue [Mullanpur], they were all 160-170 games," the veteran added.
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