The 'impact player' rule has been a double-edged sword. It has helped teams pull off some sensational wins but added to the tensions of the think tank as well. After Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting, Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid revealed he 'wasn't fond' of the rule for its 'complexity' when he was at the helm of Indian cricket.
“It has certainly added a different dynamic,” Dravid told Sportstar. “I’ll be honest: when I was India’s coach, I wasn’t particularly fond of the Impact Player rule. Not because it doesn’t make the game more competitive — it certainly does. It adds complexity and keeps matches alive till the very end. But from a national team perspective, it posed some challenges.
“As a coach, you want to develop all-rounders, and under the old 11 vs 11 format, certain players would have had more opportunities to bat or bowl in different situations. The Impact Player rule has changed that to some extent."
There have been many who have criticised and spoken against the rule which was first introduced in the Indian Premier League's (IPL) 2023 edition. In the last season, many blamed the rule allowing teams have an extra batter in their lineup to post outrageously high scores.
“Statistically, scoring rates have increased due to teams having an extra specialist batter. This means no team is ever truly out of a game. You can have a batter at No.8 or even No.9, which allows for aggressive hitting even after losing six or seven wickets,” Dravid said.
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Dravid points out 'positive' effect of 'impact player' rule
While Ponting says it was done for entertainment and TV viewers, Dravid now understands the why the rule needs to exists in the IPL. He credits the rule for allowing a chance for an extra Indian player to showcase his skills.
“While having an all-rounder still brings balance, teams can now manage without one if they don’t find the right fit,” he noted.
“Strategically, it has added layers to team selection and match planning. That said, I understand why it exists. It ensures every game remains competitive and allows an extra Indian player to feature in the league, which is a positive. Like with the auction and other rules, there are always pros and cons,” the 52-year-old further explained.
While Dravid did not like the rule as India head coach, he helped the Rohit Sharma-led side win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and ended the wait for a major trophy.
Royals high on confidence
This season, Dravid has been seen on wheelchair or walking with the help of crutches due to a leg injury. His side, Rajasthan Royals (RR), has had a mixed bag of a tournament so far with two wins from four games. With Sanju Samson's return as captain and wicketkeeper, they are high on confidence after beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 50 runs. Their next clash is against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on April 9.