India skipper Rohit Sharma expressed his reservations last month over the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating that it is holding back the all-rounders. Since then, a lot of current and former players have joined the bandwagon in support of Rohit.
The Impact Player rule was introduced in IPL 2023. Under this rule, each team can name as many as four substitute players along with their playing XI at the toss. One of them can replace a member from the original XI during the match and the player will be called Impact Player.
Amid the debate, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli has also endorsed Rohit Sharma's take on the Impact Player rule.
Speaking on Jio Cinema, Kohli urged the BCCI to revisit the new rule, which according to him has disrupted the balance of the game.
Kohli cited that not every bowler is as skilled as Jasprit Bumrah or Rashid Khan, who are less susceptible of getting hit for boundaries.
“I agree with Rohit. Entertainment is one aspect of the game but there is no balance,” Kohli stated.
“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. 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. Not every team has a Bumrah (Jasprit) or the mystery of Rashid Khan,” he added.
The IPL 2024 season has seen a string of high scores. In fact, three of the highest totals in the history of the tournament have been posted this season.
Kohli argued that the Impact Player rule had removed the anchor role, which has forced him to hit runs at 200 plus strike rate in the first six overs.
“I am telling you, with one extra batter there is a reason I am playing with 200 plus strike rate in the powerplays. I know there is a batsman waiting at No 8 as well. I think it has disrupted the balance and a lot of people are feeling this way not just me,” he remarked.
The 35-year-old hoped that the BCCI will have a relook at things and do the right thing for Indian cricket.
“I am sure Jay bhai has mentioned it already that they will review it and I am sure that they will come to a conclusion which brings the game into balance,” said Kohli.
“As a batsman, I can say this rule is good but the match should be exciting. Only fours and sixes are not exciting in cricket. Exciting is that you can defend 160 as well,” he concluded.
