During the IPL 2024 season, Indian captain Rohit Sharma voiced his concerns regarding the ‘Impact Player’ rule, arguing that it restricts the opportunities for all-rounders. Since his remarks, numerous current and former cricketers have echoed his sentiments in support.

The Impact Player rule, introduced in IPL 2023, allows each team to name four substitutes in addition to their playing XI at the toss. One of these substitutes can replace a player from the original XI during the match, designated as the Impact Player.”

“Amidst ongoing discussions, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed support for the Impact Player rule, suggesting that it adds strategic depth to the game.

Ashwin explained his perspective on Kris Srikkanth’s YouTube show, *Cheeky Cheeka*, stating, ‘The Impact Player rule isn’t as problematic as some might think because it enhances the strategic element of the game. While some argue that it doesn’t favor all-rounders, it doesn’t actually discourage them.’

He noted that in modern cricket, players rarely engage in both batting and bowling, and this trend isn’t due to the Impact Player rule. ‘Take Venkatesh Iyer, for example—he’s performing brilliantly for Lancashire. The rule offers room for innovation and makes the game more balanced,’ Ashwin added.

Ashwin referred to IPL 2024’s Qualifier 2 to illustrate his point, where Impact Substitute Shahbaz Ahmed played a pivotal role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s victory over Rajasthan Royals. ‘Sunrisers brought in Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player, and he turned the match around with his performance, taking 3 for 23. When dew conditions could potentially make games one-sided, the extra option for teams bowling second acts as a counterbalance,’ Ashwin said.

He also mentioned the tactical advantage of substituting an extra bowler for a batter when batting second, which can lead to tighter matches and give additional players a chance to shine. ‘Except for venues like Kolkata or Mumbai, where scores have been exceptionally high, most matches haven’t seen drastic changes in scoring. At Punjab Kings’ home ground, for instance, games have been around the 160-170 mark,’ he observed.

Ashwin further emphasized that the rule has allowed several players to rise through the ranks and make their mark at the national level. ‘Players like Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, and especially Dhruv Jurel have benefited from the Impact Player rule. While it’s not the only way for players to emerge, it has certainly helped,’ he concluded.”