The TATA IPL 2023 has had a very good start. The season has begun, and two mouthwatering contests have already taken place. The newly introduced “Impact Rule” was first deployed in the Chennai Super Kings VS Gujarat Titans game. The Chennai Super Kings were bowling second, so they bought in an additional bowler in place of a batter. The Gujarat Titans on the other hand had to make a forced change as Kane Williamson got injured.
Tushar Deshpande got the privilege of being the first ever “impact player” in the history of the TATA IPL. Tushar was bought on the field for Ambati Rayudu. Sai Sudarshan was the second one who replaced Kane Williamson. But what do the cricketing experts think of this “Impact Player” rule? What are its benefits? What are its cons? Here is an in-depth look:
TATA IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra’s Views on “Impact Player” Rule:
Aakash Chopra, one of the top-rated analysts of the game, has finally given his views on the impact player rule. The big benefit from the “Impact Player” rule is that the domestic Indian players will get more opportunities. He said, “It is a platinum jubilee for the Indians because Indians will get more opportunities now. Overseas players will remain four only but eight Indians will play in a game of the IPL, which was not the case earlier, as only seven used to get to play.”
He further cited an example of the Punjab Kings for TATA IPL 2023. “The uncapped Indians will gain. Let’s talk about Punjab. You might ask Prabhsimran Singh to open in the second innings and go and hit sixes. If it works, it’s fine, or else no problem. Similarly, you can play an uncapped Indian bowler, who you were generally unable to give chances to.”, he further added.
As a disadvantage of the “Impact Player” Rule, he said that it will minimize the role of an all-rounder. The game will get drifted towards the pure batter, pure bowler concept and the actual impact of the all-rounder will get knocked down.
TATA IPL 2023: Harsha Bhogle’s Views on “Impact Player” Rule:
Harsha Bhogle was very clear regarding his views. He said that the “Impact Player” rule adds complexity to the TATA IPL 2023 and reduces the importance of multi-dimensional players. He even ran a poll on his twitter account to ask the cricket community if the “Impact Player” rule made the game more interesting or increased the complexity of the game. On the Cricbuzz preshow while discussing the topic with Joy Bhattacharjya and Gaurav Kapur he had less-supportive views on the “Impact Player” rule.
IPL 2023: “The Rule Increases Complexity”, Says Gaurav Kapur:
“I voted for “Increases complexity”.” said Gaurav Kapur when he was asked by Harsha Bhogle about his view on the “Impact Player” rule. “The average cricket fans have many rules regarding power-plays to keep in mind. This rule just brings in more complexity. Now the fan also must comprehend which player is bought on.”, he said in Hindi in the pre-season curtain raiser show.
Joy Bhattacharjya gave a very good example of the cases where the “Impact Player” can come in handy. He said, “Assume a case where the chasing team requires 18 to 19 runs of the last over, and one batter scores 14 of the first 4. The next up is a number 8 batter but now the team has a option to send in an additional batter to chase those remaining runs.”
To conclude, I’ll say that this debate will be never ending. The rule does have many positives, but it also has a few negatives. But if the rule gives more opportunity to the young Indian players, it is certainly great for the progress of the game in general.
To know more go to CSK VS GT: Tushar Deshpande Is the First Ever Impact Player in the History of TATA IPL.
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To know more go to the official website of the TATA IPL.