Team India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his disapproval of the “Impact Player” rule in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, highlighting its potential negative impact on Indian cricket. Sharma shared his views on the podcast “Club Prairie Fire,” where he explained why he believes the rule is not beneficial.
“I am not a big fan of the Impact Player rule. It is going to hold all-rounders back, eventually cricket is played by 11 players not 12 players. You are taking out so much from the game to make it entertaining for people around,” Sharma stated.
The Impact Player rule allows teams to substitute one player with another during a match, who can have a significant impact on the game. However, Sharma feels this rule may restrict the opportunities for all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube.
“If you look just from the cricketing aspect of it, I feel guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren’t getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing,” Sharma remarked.
Sundar, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad, has had limited game time, while Dube, the leading run-scorer for Chennai Super Kings, is yet to bowl in the tournament. Sharma emphasized that such limitations could be detrimental to the development and utilization of talented all-rounders.
Sharma suggested that the rule might not be in the best interest of the game, as it could potentially affect the balance between batting and bowling. He pointed out that the rule allows teams to bring in an extra bowler if they bat well and don’t lose wickets, resulting in an abundance of bowling options and a reduced need for additional batters.
However, former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, who also hosts the podcast, offered a contrasting view. Gilchrist expressed concern that the new rule could compromise the integrity of cricket by deviating from the traditional format of the game. He highlighted the increase in high-scoring matches in IPL 2024 as evidence of a shift in the game’s dynamics.
“It’s not bad bowling, it’s just people coming with a free mindset and smacking all over the park. That’s how T20 cricket is played these days,” Gilchrist stated.
The Impact Player rule has sparked a debate among players and fans, with opinions divided on its impact on the game. While some believe it adds excitement and strategic depth, others, like Sharma, are wary of its potential drawbacks for the sport.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
