Magazine : 
TATA IPL 2024: Impact Player Rule Affects half-all-rounders, says Zaheer Khan
Shortly after India captain Rohit Sharma expressed concerns about the impact player rule hindering the development of all-rounders in the IPL, former left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan echoed similar sentiments, highlighting its adverse effects on the progression of 'half all-rounders' in the sport. Introduced in IPL 2023, the impact player rule permits all ten teams to substitute a player from the nominated substitutes during a match, even after the game has commenced. However, this rule has led to limited opportunities for all-rounders like Shivam Dube to showcase their bowling abilities.
“In the all-rounder aspect of things, I completely agree with Rohit on that front as because of the impact sub, you can make do with not having the luxury of an all-rounder. You can have a complete bowler used as an impact sub and create that balance. That aspect is debatable for sure, and there are rising concerns on that front”.
“But I am completely in sync with what the debate is on at this point: it will affect the find and progress of half all-rounders. Maybe you will find a genuine all-rounder of Ben Stokes kind, which will be an added luxury. But it will be a concern for half all-rounders”, said Zaheer, an IPL expert with JioCinema, the official streaming partner of IPL 2024.
During IPL 2024, teams have surpassed the 250-run mark on three occasions, contributing to the tournament's record-high average run rate of 9.42. There's a buzz surrounding the impact player rule potentially favoring batsmen more, prompting Zaheer to suggest that bowlers must adapt and devise strategies to combat the aggressive tactics employed by opposing batters.
“Because of the impact substitute rule, the mindset had changed and there is more liberty for batters in terms of approach and the freedom they are batting with. It had had a great impact on the aggressive nature of the batters when you look at the batting side of things”.
“Like, you now have an extra batter batting at either seven or eight, which gives you the freedom to express yourself even more aggressively, and that puts pressure on the bowlers. But bowlers will have to get tougher and adjust to what’s coming their way. I think the approach, attitude and the drive are something which will determine the outcome when you are looking at current scenario for the bowlers”.
Simultaneously, Zaheer also expressed admiration for the manner in which the table-topping Rajasthan Royals have effectively utilized the impact player rule to maintain equilibrium in their batting lineup and bolster their bowling unit, adjusting according to whether they bat first or second.
“Overall, when you see how teams are using it, maybe Rajasthan Royals is the right example. They have been that one batter short, but they are putting emphasis on getting five bowlers in and are still finding the way of tackling this scenario where the batters are looking to be extra aggressive. You have to find a way how to use the impact sub-rule and go ahead with it”.
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