Impact Player rule faces criticism from Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar

Axar Patel. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

The Impact Player rule in the IPL has stirred up a whirlwind of opinions among players, particularly from the Delhi Capitals camp. Axar Patel, the team’s seasoned allrounder, isn’t shy about sharing his discontent and said that it is affecting his batting position.

Introduced in 2023, the Impact Player rule allows teams to substitute a player during their innings, a move aimed at adding tactical flexibility. However, it’s drawn criticism from players like Axar and his teammate, Mukesh Kumar.

“Whoever is making the rules, they are thinking that everything will work as per batter’s convenience. Obviously, it has been difficult (for the bowlers). According to me, it’s difficult but obviously you will have the opportunity as well that you can perform well in that situation, if you have the skills then how you can use them,” Axar said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“Because of the Impact sub rule, everyone gets one more batsman so they think that they will use the batsman in case, the batting unit doesn’t go well. And whosoever comes to play, they don’t take much time and start (hitting) from the first ball because they know that they have a player in seventh or eighth place. That is why I am not a big fan of the rule, because as an allrounder I know that they will either take a proper batsman or a bowler, not an allrounder,” he added.

Mukesh echoes this sentiment, highlighting the unfair advantage the rule provides to batters. He said that even if bowlers take wickets, there’s no relief as the batters keep coming without fear.

“If 12 players are not playing at the international level, then what is the need of it in IPL? With 12 players, even if four wickets are down, the next player is not scared of getting out or making the team stable, they come and play their shots. So either the nature of tracks should be changed or 12 players should not be allowed,” he said.

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But amidst the dissent, some find merit in the rule’s entertainment value. David Warner acknowledges its impact while emphasising the need for adaptability.

“Well, the game is evolving, right? So I think people are just trying different things. If you got 15-16 people on the bench, you know you want to maximise as much as you can. Is the game going to change a lot in the next 10 years? It probably will.

“I feel like it’s taken the all-round option out now. We are adapting as cricketers, so we’re enjoying that and and it’s also tactically when you’re sitting on the bench, you know, if you’re not scoring runs, then you can put that batsman in,” Warner said.

 From an entertainment and spectator point of view, it has been really good: Hussey

Michael Hussey, the batting coach for Chennai Super Kings, recognised the difficulty bowlers face in batting-friendly conditions. Despite the challenges, he believed it added excitement for spectators.

“It’s hard for bowlers, especially if the conditions are good for batting because the batting orders are lengthened and batsmen have more freedom to come out and continue to go hard,” he said.

“So, it must be a great spectacle for the crowd to keep seeing these scores growing all the time and it probably puts a bigger emphasis on execution with the ball. It can be really difficult at times for bowlers but we’ve put a big focus on death bowling, particularly with the Impact Player [rule].

“I’ve been hearing some commentary on people favouring it and not in favour. I think from an entertainment and spectator point of view, it has been really good. From a cricket point of view, we can argue until the cows come home, really. I still think it has been quite good,” he added.

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