The ‘Impact Player’ rule enables teams to replace any one member of their playing XI during a match.
According to the rule, each team can nominate as many as 5 substitute players along with their playing XI after the toss. One of them can replace a member from the original XI during the match and the player will be called Impact Player.
However, teams can’t replace a player with a foreign recruit if they have already picked 4 overseas cricketers in the XI.
While the aforementioned rule has divided opinions among the fans and cricket experts, Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Yuzvendra Chahal said the new law has helped his IPL side this season.
The Royals are occupying the top position on the IPL 2023 points table with four wins from five matches.
“It has worked in our favour given the way Dhruv (Jurel) and Dev (Devdutt Padikkal) have batted. It is a plus point because I am of no use with the bat. It helps when you are chasing a big total and an extra batter gets added, which is a plus point,” Chahal said head of RR’s match against Lucknow Super Giants.
Notably, Impact Player Devdutt Padikkal scored a crucial 26 versus Gujarat Titans while substitute Dhruv Jurel’s 32* off 15 balls gave RR a shot at victory against Punjab Kings.
Rajasthan Royals are all set to play their first game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur this season.
“It is a bigger ground here so as a spinner I am happy,” Chahal quipped.
Talking about his bowling and bowling in tandem with R Ashwin and Adam Zampa, the wrist-spinner said, “The management decides as per situation (on playing them together). We have a good bonding between us, having played the last two games together.”
“My main motive this year is to win the trophy, not just the Purple Cap,” he concluded.
Yuzvendra Chahal was the highest wicket-taker in last year’s IPL with 27 scalps as he played a key role in RR making it to the final. This season, he has already claimed 11 wickets in five matches.
(Firstpost Inputs)