Ravichandran Ashwin defended the Impact Player rule, arguing that it added strategic value to the IPL, while criticizing the Right to Match system and suggesting reforms.
Ravichandran Ashwin has defended the Impact Player rule in the IPL, arguing that it has introduced a strategic element to the game that would be lost if the rule were removed. Despite criticism from figures like Rohit Sharma, who is not a “big fan” of the rule, Ashwin believes it provides added strategic value and fairness to the game.
In an appearance on Kris Srikkanth’s YouTube show, Cheeky Cheeka, Ravichandran Ashwin said, “Why I think the Impact Player rule is not so bad is because it gives a little more value for strategy. The other side of that argument is it doesn’t encourage allrounders. But no one is stopping them.”
He pointed out that the rule has not discouraged allrounders, citing examples like Venkatesh Iyer, who has excelled for Lancashire. Ashwin also highlighted Shahbaz Ahmed’s impact during Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024, where Ahmed made a significant contribution with the ball after being brought in as an Impact Player.
“When dew has the potential to make games one-sided, teams bowling second get an extra option as a counter. If you’re batting second, you can tactically make a substitution by offloading the extra bowler for a batter. Games are tighter, and an extra player is getting to play,” Ashwin explained.
Ravichandran Ashwin noted that while some teams have seen higher scores, the rule has generally kept games competitive. “Barring Kolkata or Mumbai, where scores skyrocketed, they haven’t been a drastic change elsewhere. Like at Punjab Kings’ home venue [Mullanpur], they were all 160-170 games,” he added.
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Ashwin concluded by acknowledging the positive impact of the Impact Player rule on player opportunities, mentioning emerging players like Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, and Dhruv Jurel, who have benefited from the rule. “If not for the Impact Player rule, he may have never gotten the chance,” Ashwin said, emphasizing the role of the rule in player development.
Last Updated on August 28, 2024