Virat Kohli recently criticized the IPL’s Impact Player rule, arguing it disrupts the balance between batting and bowling in the game.
Star batter Virat Kohli has joined India captain Rohit Sharma in criticising the IPL’s mid-innings substitution rule, aka the “Impact Player.” The rule, implemented last season, allows teams to replace one player with another during a designated window in the inning.
Both Kohli and Sharma believe the rule disrupts the balance of the game. “I agree with Rohit. Entertainment is one aspect of the game but there is no balance. I think it has disrupted the balance and a lot of people are feeling this way, not just me,” he echoed Rohit’s sentiment from a recent podcast, where the Indian skipper stated, “I’m not a big fan… It’s going to hold back all-rounders. Cricket is played by 11, not 12 players.”
Kohli highlighted the bowlers’ struggle under the new rule. The IPL has witnessed a record-breaking season with high scores, including the highest successful chase in T20 history (Punjab Kings vs. Kolkata Knight Riders) and the highest total ever in franchise cricket (Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
“Bowlers are feeling like what they should do. I have never experienced anything like it where bowlers think they will concede four or a six on every ball. Not every team has a Bumrah (Jasprit) or the mystery of Rashid Khan,” added Kohli.
The extra batter, according to Kohli, allows batters like himself to play with a higher strike rate in the powerplay, knowing there’s another batter lower down the order. “We are playing a high level of cricket, and it should not be that dominant, in my opinion. There is a beauty about having an equal balance between bat and ball,” he stressed.
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BCCI secretary Jay Shah has previously stated that the Impact Player rule is a “test case” to provide opportunities for Indian players. However, he has also indicated that the board will discuss the rule with stakeholders before implementing it in future seasons.
“I am sure Jay bhai [Shah] has mentioned it already that they will review it. As a batsman, I can say this rule is good, but the match should be exciting. Only fours and sixes are exciting in cricket. Exciting is that you can defend 160 as well,” concluded Kohli.
Last Updated on May 18, 2024
