R Ashwin, Rajasthan Royals, and India spinner has said that the impact player rule shouldn’t be blamed for the recent high team scores in the IPL 2024, as it is due to the skills of the batters. SRH scored 277 and 287 in the tournament, while PBKS chased down a score of 260-plus.
The season has witnessed some astonishing batting records -- teams crossed the 200-run mark a staggering 41 times whereas the 250 mark was breached on eight instances in the league round.
Ashwin also has urged bowlers to start working on their batting skills to meet the demands of the game.
"Even if the impact player rule wasn't there, scores would be this high. In my opinion, batters have more confidence and pitches everywhere have been standardized. In the future, all bowlers will need to be hitters because we know that no matter how well we bowl, we also need to be able to bat. The game is headed in that direction,” Ashwin said on JioCinema Match Centre Live.
While Indian captain Rohit Sharma has criticized the regulation, claiming that it stifles the development of all-rounders in the country, star batsman Virat Kohli believes it breaks the game's balance.
Following a trial in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy domestic T20s, the regulation was fully adopted in the IPL's 2023 season.
The BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, has stated that the impact player regulation was established as a 'test case' and is not permanent. Shah has also stated that the board will consult with stakeholders before making a final decision on the contentious rule.
Talking about his performance this season, Ashwin said he had to overcome an abdominal injury and started bowling in his elements only at the business end of the competition.
"My tournament has gone in two halves. The first half was coming off the Test series, so my body didn't feel fresh. My arm speed wasn't there and I also had an injury, an abdomen tear. I played through the injury but didn't get much bowling time or repetitions.
I am someone who depends on bowling repetitions. Over the last 6-7 games, I feel like my rhythm came back. I was able to bowl off-spin. I changed my action slightly. My plan was simple. I came with a single-minded focus on changing the line and length of my deliveries and it was executed well," added Ashwin.
(PTI inputs)
