In what can be seen as a growing debate within the cricket community, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has recently articulated his support for the innovative ‘impact player’ rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This endorsement comes in contrast to the reservations expressed by Rohit Sharma, India’s current T20I captain. Shastri believes the rule, which allows teams to substitute players at a strategic point in the game, has brought a dynamic change to the sport, contributing to a spate of thrilling, high-scoring matches, particularly noticeable in the IPL 2024.
“The Impact Player [rule] is good. You have to evolve with the times. You know, it happens in other sports as well. It’s got tighter finishes. You have to evolve with the times and I think it’s a good rule. You saw the number of tight finishes we had in last year’s IPL. So, you know, it has made a big difference,” commented Ravi Shastri when he spoke on cricketer-turned-YouTuber Ravi Ashwin’s channel. The rule in question allows an ‘impact player’ to substitute any player at almost any stage in the match, potentially altering the course of the game with their contributions.
This statement from Shastri comes weeks after Rohit Sharma voiced his skepticism about the same rule on the Club Prairie Podcast co-hosted by Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan. Sharma suggested that this regulation is curbing the development of genuine all-rounders who need to excel both with bat and ball. He highlighted the situation of players like Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube who are no longer getting opportunities to bowl as a consequence of this rule.
“I generally feel that it is going to hold back [development of allrounders] because eventually cricket is played by 11 players, not 12 players. I’m not a big fan of impact player. You are taking out so much from the game just to make it little entertainment for the people around. But if you look [at] genuinely just cricketing aspect of it… I can give you so many examples – guys like Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube are not getting to bowl, which for us [India team] is not a good thing,” lamented Sharma.
Shastri further elaborated on his perspective, acknowledging that any new rule inevitably faces resistance and discussion. Notwithstanding, he emphasized the positive effects seen in the thrilling chases and defensive strategies that teams adapted to when dealing with a 200 or 190 target in IPL 2024. He noted the increased opportunities for individuals who seized upon their role as an impact player, suggesting it could lead to a reevaluation of the rule by the wider cricketing fraternity.
Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary, weighed in on the issue, mentioning that the ‘impact player’ rule is not a confirmed, long-term addition to the IPL but more of an experimental phase. Shah recognized that while the rule avails an additional chance for two Indian players per game, its longevity will be subject to the feedback from players, franchises, and broadcasters post comprehensive discussions, especially after the World Cup.
As the conversation around the impact player rule intensifies, it’s worth noting its parallels to tactical substitutions in various sports, reflecting cricket’s attempt to innovate for competitive balance and audience engagement. However, the balance between tradition and entertainment continues to be a pivotal point of contention among the game’s strategists and virtuosos. While the rule is yet to become a permanent fixture, the multifaceted debate it has sparked among cricketing experts and practitioners alike signifies a sport delicately poised on the cusp of transformation. As IPL continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how such regulations are shaped by those involved at the highest level of this beloved game.
