David Miller criticised the IPL’s ‘Impact Player’ rule, calling it disruptive and favouring batters over all-rounders.
The ‘Impact Player’ rule, introduced in the IPL last year, continues to be a contentious topic. South African batter David Miller, a key player for the Gujarat Titans, has become the latest cricketer to voice his disapproval of the substitution rule.
The ‘Impact Player’ allows teams to replace one member of their starting XI with a substitute during the match. While initially met with scepticism, the rule has seen increased adoption by franchises aiming to gain a tactical advantage. However, some players, including Miller, are concerned about its impact on the traditional format of the game.
“The impact player rule—I am not a big fan of it. IPL has been a trial and is creating a lot of hype around it. The game of cricket has always been played by 11 players. As Rohit mentioned, it is not the same in international cricket, so we should keep the same,” Miller said in a press conference.
Earlier, Indian captain Rohit Sharma, along with Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Mohammed Siraj, had previously voiced their belief that the rule diminishes the value of all-rounders and disrupts the traditional balance of the game.
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Miller further elaborated on his concerns, stating, “It’s like having six bowlers and eight batters and taking the all-rounders out of contention. I don’t know what they’re going to decide if they want to keep it, but it is difficult for certain all-rounders to bowl.”
The ‘Impact Player’ rule has coincided with a rise in high-scoring matches in the 2024 IPL season. Five of the six highest totals in IPL history have been recorded this year, with teams frequently surpassing the 220-run mark. While increased entertainment value is a potential benefit, some, like Miller, believe it comes at the cost of altering the core cricketing principles.
Interestingly, IPL governing council chairman Arun Dhumal acknowledged the ongoing discussion after Rohit’s comments and emphasised that the rule is not permanent. “Now that such an observation has been made, we will definitely look into it. We will discuss this with all parties involved and then take a call. We are open to any discussion once the season gets over,” Arun Dhumal told The Telegraph, highlighting the possibility of a re-discussion regarding the rule after IPL 2024.
Last Updated on April 24, 2024
