In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), the Impact Player rule has been widely criticised. It has also been said that the Impact Player rule is the reason behind such high-scoring matches because the teams are getting an opportunity to play an extra batter. Earlier, the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also stated that he is not a big fan of this rule and it gives fewer opportunities to the all-rounders. Rohit is the first prominent Indian player to raise concerns over the Impact Player rule.
Ravi Shastri backs Impact Player rule
Meanwhile, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has come in support of the Impact Player rule and said the game is evolving with time. He also pointed out the difference made by this rule.
“The Impact Player (rule) is good. You have to evolve with the times. You know, it happens in other sports as well. It’s got tighter finishes. You have to evolve with the times and I think it’s a good rule. You saw the number of tight finishes we had in last year’s IPL. So, you know, it has made a big difference”, Ravi Shastri told Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
‘You know when any new rule comes in, there will be people who will try and justify why that’s not right. But in time when you see the scores – 200 and 190 – and then like you mentioned individuals grabbing that opportunity and making the most of it, people will start re-looking at how they think about it”, Shastri added.
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Jay Shah on Impact Player rule
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said that Impact Player is not permanent and a decision will be made on its future after having conservation with the stakeholders.
"Impact Player is like a test case. We have implemented it slowly. The biggest advantage of it is that two Indian players are getting a chance (in each game), which is the most important. We will consult with the players, franchises, broadcasters (and take a call). This is not permanent (but) I am not saying that it will go," Shah told reporters at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
What is the impact player rule?
This rule was introduced in 2023 after it was tested in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The rule allows the teams to introduce a 12th player to the playing eleven from the substitute list which is given during the toss. A team can replace the player at any time during the match depending on the situation.
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