Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has welcomed the use of the Impact Player rule which was first implemented in the 2023 IPL, saying that it has more benefits than what some might think is the opposite.
The rule enables teams within a game to replace a particular player on the field for tactical reasons. In this case, Ashwin posits that it is an enhancement to the sport. He also dismissed suggestions that it hampers the growth of all rounders stating that it is not an end to pursuing both batting and bowling.
While doing a shoot for Kris Srikkanth’s YouTube show Cheeky Cheeka, Ashwin said: “Why I think the Impact Player rule is not so bad is, imagine having a strict rule where all players on the floor have to work for one basket throughout the game.” He also accepted that there were concerns that some players would be limited because of this rule, for example, all-rounders, but, “Most batters don’t do it [bowl] anymore anyway. It’s not like they’re discouraged because of the Impact Player rule.”
The implementation of the Impact Player rule has generated controversies since its introduction. It gives teams the option of deepening their batting orders which may result in more runs being scored. Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been one of the concerned players and said that the rule will impact the future of the all-rounder role in Indian cricket.
Still, there were examples that Ashwin could offer to back up his stance. In the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2, the Sunrisers Hyderabad faced the Rajasthan Royals. Hyderabad scored 175 runs and 9 wickets and Rajasthan lost by 36 runs. A key turning point occurred when the Sunrisers opted to bring in Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Substitue. He grabbed three wickets for just 23 runs and changed the course of the game.
“Syed Mohammed shared his journey with us. Sunrisers [Hyderabad] brought in Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player [vs Rajasthan Royals, after making 175 for 9 of], 3 for 23 making him matchwinner. Sahindra is an Impact Player who can make a difference in favour of the team even on return of dew when spoils those an advantage made by the teams batting second.” Ashwin expressed his views.
He clarifies how a certain rule increases competition and the hasting nature of the matches further. “If it’s the last innings and you are batting second, and if it’s a tactical substitution, you could replace the extra bowler by bringing in batsman instead. Matches are closer, and actually an additional player is getting to play,” he said.
He also drew attention to the fact that aside from such venues as Kolkata or Mumbai where typical scores are rather high, there have been rather closer matches, but with the scores ranged around 160-170 levels.
Ashwin has drawn attention towards the fact that the Impact Player rule has aided a few players to emerge in Indian cricket. For example, “Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, most fundamentally, Dhruv Jurel… If not for the Impact Player rule, he could very well never have had that opportunity. So the emergence of a lot of players has happened. I’m not saying that’s the only way for players to emerge, but it’s not so bad,” he said.
Thinking regarding the Impact Player rule would also differ from individual to individual, Ashwin’s remarks do add possible ways for utilizing strategic depth to the game. The rule fosters creativity and opens up new horizons within which players can exhibit their talent in the highly competitive environment of the IPL.
