The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing increasing pressure to address the controversial ‘Impact Player’ rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India’s top cricketers, have expressed their concerns about the rule’s impact on the game.
Speaking on the JioCinema platform, Virat Kohli echoed Rohit Sharma’s criticism of the rule. He expressed worry about the pressure it puts on bowlers, who feel like every ball could go for a four or a six. Kohli emphasized the need to maintain a balance between batting and bowling in high-level cricket.
“I agree with Rohit about the Impact Player rule. I have never experienced anything like it where bowlers think they will concede four or a six on every ball. This is high-level cricket; it shouldn’t be too dominated by batsmen. Not every team has a Bumrah or a Rashid,” Kohli said. He also mentioned that BCCI president Jay Shah has indicated the rule is under review.
Both Kohli and Sharma pointed out that the rule discourages the development of all-rounders. With the option to bring in an extra batsman, players like Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube see their bowling opportunities limited.
Kohli acknowledged the personal advantage the rule brings to his batting. The presence of an extra batsman allows him to play more aggressively in the powerplay, knowing there’s another batter waiting. However, he argued that this makes it harder to defend big totals, as every team can score freely.
While recognizing the excitement of big hitting, Kohli stressed that cricket thrives on a more balanced game. He believes the ability to defend a modest total is crucial for an engaging match.
With both Kohli and Sharma voicing their concerns, the BCCI is under pressure to review the ‘Impact Player’ rule. The upcoming review period will likely see a lively debate about the future of this experimental rule.
