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Is the impact player rule good or bad? Pros and cons of impact player rule
T20 cricket, since its inception, has swiftly transformed the landscape of the sport, emerging as a thrilling and dynamic form of cricket that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The format’s evolution is marked by constant innovation, from strategic gameplay to the introduction of leagues like the IPL, BBL, CPL, etc. And people who run those leagues always try to do something different to make it more interesting. Just like that, there is a rule implanted in the Indian Premier League since last year, which is called an impact player rule. Today, we will talk about the pros and cons of this rule and how good or bad this rule is. So let’s start.
The impact player rule explained
According to the impact player rule, a team can bring in another player, who is not a part of the starting XI by replacing the one who is already in the playing XI. They can do this at any stage of the game. Generally, teams bring in the impact substitute at the back end of the 1st inning.
Positives of the Impact Player Rule
(1) An extra player gets a chance in the playing XI
One of the positives of the playing XI is an extra player will get the opportunity to be in the playing XI. For example, in one game, Ayush Badoni comes into the playing XI as an impact substitute for LSG.
If this rule is not there, he might not get the opportunity to play. A player has the opportunity to showcase their talent even if he won’t start in the first XI. Just like in Football.
(2) Extra element in the game
The rule brings in an extra element in the game. We have even seen in the BBL that a franchise can bring in a 12th player after a certain over, by replacing another. Probably one of the main reasons to bring this impact player rule is to serve entertainment to the audience.
(3) A franchise can play their big names even if they are injured
We have seen some players like Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, etc come in after an injury. What the franchise has done is they played them as an impact player so that their workload can be managed. So it’s a big plus of this rule from the franchise’s point of view.
Negatives of the Impact Player Rule
(1) Diminishes the relevance of an all-rounder
The impact player rule diminishes the importance of an all-rounder. Before this rule, the franchises look for a good all-rounder to have a balance in the team. But now, they can go with proper 7-8 batters and then replace one of them with a proper bowler. They don’t need an all-rounder to fill the slot.
(2) Bowlers at the receiving end
Already T20 cricket is more and more batting dominated. With flat pitches, small boundaries, good quality of bats, and the batters’ positive mindset, the bowlers are always at the receiving end. The impact player rule allowed the teams to go with 7 or 8 batting options. So the bowlers always think that we have got nothing left.
Is the impact player rule good or bad?
We have to say that the rule is doing more harm than good. Also, if we think from an Indian cricket point of view, they are not getting any help from this rule. Players like Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Vijay Shankar, etc are not bowling, which is not good as the selectors can’t explore more options for an all-rounder’s role.
Players are not happy with this impact player rule | IPL 2024
Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammad Siraj, etc are examples of players not happy with the impact player rule. Mukesh and Siraj, being a bowler think it’s not good for the bowlers. Axar Patel said his batting position is compromised as an all-rounder because of this rule.
Venkatesh Iyer also said the importance of an all-rounder dipped because of this rule. Rohit Sharma, the current Team India’s captain is also not a fan of this rule. In a podcast with Adam Gilchrist, Rohit points out the negatives of this rule.
Contrasting views from Saurav Ganguly
A former Indian captain and current DC’s mentor, Saurav Ganguly has contrasting views on the impact player rule. He thinks that a good all-rounder will invariably find a way into the playing XI. He said it’s the average ones against whom a team can bring a proper batter or a bowler.
Ricky Ponting too agreed with Ganguly in this debate. He said it’s not ideal for a coach to comment on this. A former Aussie captain also thinks the batting skills got better as well along with the mindset.
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Conclusion
Is the impact player rule here to stay? It is too early to comment on this. But right now, so many players are unhappy with how things are as far as this rule is concerned.
What do you think? Is it good or bad? Comment your opinion below.
FAQs:-
(1) Will the impact player rule be implemented in T20Is?
No. There is no impact substitute rule in T20Is right now.
(2) When was the first time this rule was implemented in India?
The rule first implemented in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) in India in 2023.
(3) Who has scored the most runs in IPL 2024 so far?
Virat Kohli has scored the most runs (430) in IPL 2024.
