Sourav Ganguly opined that the ‘Impact Player’ rule and the flat pitches should be addressed for the betterment of the game and the tournament.
Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on the ongoing debate about the balance between bat and ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speaking ahead of the Delhi Capitals’ match against Mumbai Indians on April 27th, Ganguly expressed concern about the plight of bowlers on flat pitches and the potential impact of the new “Impact Player” rule. “The pitches haven’t been easy for the bowlers this season. They’re getting hit all around the park, and that’s one area that needs to be addressed in the future – the balance between bat and ball,” said Ganguly, as quoted by NDTV.
The 2024 IPL season has seen a significant rise in high-scoring matches, with teams easily surpassing 200 runs. It stemmed from the IPL governing body introducing a rule that allows teams to field an additional batter as an “Impact Player” during their inning. However, some experts, including Ganguly, believe this rule might be contributing to the run-fest.
“The Impact Player rule is something that needs to be looked at. With an extra batter, teams are taking more risks against the bowlers, leading to even higher scores,” suggested Ganguly.
He pointed out instances where teams have piled up massive totals, like the Delhi Capitals scoring over 400 runs in two of their home matches. “Our batting is strong too. We’ve seen teams giving away 400 runs and then chasing them down as well. The wickets are simply too good for bowlers right now,” Ganguly acknowledged.
Interestingly, Ganguly is not alone in his concerns. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar previously advocated for introducing larger boundaries to provide bowlers with a better chance.
The debate surrounding the high-scoring nature of IPL 2024 is likely to continue. The BCCI will need to consider various factors, including the “Impact Player” rule and pitch preparation, to find a solution that ensures a more balanced and exciting contest between bat and ball. Significantly, BCCI has assured that they will be re-discussing the rule after IPL 2024.
Last Updated on April 27, 2024
