Mahipal Lomror talks about the “impact player” role

In a thrilling match against Punjab Kings, Mahipal Lomror showcased his versatility and impact as he stepped up for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Lomror’s eight-ball 17, coupled with Dinesh Karthik’s explosive 28 off 10 balls, propelled RCB to a four-wicket victory, highlighting Lomror’s crucial role as an ‘Impact Player.’

The 24-year-old, who replaced Yash Dayal during the chase of 177 as an Impact sub, immediately made his mark, assisting Karthik in a crucial partnership that added 47 runs in just 22 balls. This victory not only underlined RCB’s depth in batting but also introduced Lomror as a potential successor to Karthik, who is playing his last IPL season.

Mahipal Lomror talks about the Impact Player Rule

However, Lomror admitted that the role of an Impact Player was “weird” due to its spontaneous nature. “To be honest, it (being an Impact Player) was quite weird when I went into bat. The Impact Player rule is such that you have to be ready as you can get a call at any time to go in,” he said in the post-match press conference.

RCB’s management had communicated the possibility of using him as a substitute player against Punjab, preparing him mentally for the role. “As the name suggests, you have to make an impact on the game from the word go. The management had discussed it last night. They told me: ‘If we are chasing, we might use you down the order.’ So mentally, I was prepared,” Lomror explained.

This strategic move by RCB was not impulsive. In IPL 2023, RCB had utilized the ‘Impact Player’ option in 12 matches out of 14, with Anuj Rawat coming in twice as the No. 8 finisher. However, Rawat’s performance was not as impactful as expected, prompting the RCB thinktank to entrust Lomror with the role in IPL 2024.

Lomror, who joined Royal Challengers ahead of IPL 2022 from Rajasthan Royals, embraced the challenge and focused on his preparation. “This is what the team management wants me to prepare for. They are very clear because we have a really strong batting lineup, and this is the only place where they can use me,” he said.

Despite the limited opportunities to bat, Lomror has been honing his skills in the nets, aiming to make an immediate impact whenever he gets the chance. His ability to handle pressure was evident in the match against Punjab Kings, where he played crucial shots against established bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran.

Batting alongside experienced players like Karthik, Lomror remained composed and credited his senior partner for guiding him through the tense moments. “I think batting with him makes things really easy. He has some 15-17 years of experience in IPL. He was telling me to stay calm and focus on the next ball, not to get overexcited or not to get too aggressive,” he said.

Lomror’s performance against Punjab Kings has not only earned him praise but has also showcased RCB’s depth in talent. With more matches to go in IPL 2024, Lomror’s role as an Impact Player could prove to be a game-changer for RCB as they aim for success in the tournament.

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