Ravichandran Ashwin has defended the Impact Player rule in the IPL 2024, dismissing claims that it is the primary cause of the soaring scores this season. While prominent figures like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have voiced their concerns, suggesting the rule disrupts balance and hinders the rise of all-rounders, Ashwin remains a staunch supporter, highlighting its strategic benefits.India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his discontent with the rule, describing himself as “not a big fan.” He believes that the Impact Player rule limits the development of potential all-rounders by reducing opportunities for bowlers to bat and vice versa.

Similarly, Virat Kohli has argued that the rule disrupts the balance of the game, favoring one aspect over the other. Despite these critiques, Ashwin argues that the rule is beneficial for team strategies and is here to stay. In a recent appearance on Kris Srikkanth’s YouTube show, Ashwin emphasized that the Impact Player rule enhances strategic depth rather than detracting from it. He pointed out that the rule does not prevent the development of all-rounders.

“Why I think the Impact Player rule is not so bad is because it adds more value to strategy. Yes, it doesn’t encourage all-rounders directly, but that’s not the rule’s fault. In this generation, players are not necessarily shifting roles like batters becoming bowlers overnight,” Ravichandran Ashwin stated.

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Ravichandran Ashwin also referenced players like Venkatesh Iyer, who has excelled in different roles, suggesting that the rule fosters opportunities for innovation rather than stifling them. “Look at Venkatesh Iyer; he’s currently doing well for Lancashire. The rule opens up opportunities for creative tactics and makes the game fairer,” he added.

R Ashwin Explains Why IPL Should Not Discard Impact Player Rule#RavichandranAshwin https://t.co/Y3yUFknrNi

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The Impact Player rule allows teams to substitute one player from their squad of 12 during the match, effectively increasing the squad size from 11 to 12. This flexibility has led to an emphasis on bolstering the batting lineup, which has resulted in higher scores as bowlers grapple with extended batting orders.

Ashwin also addressed concerns about the rule’s impact when dew affects the game. He explained that the extra player can be used strategically to counter the effects of dew, particularly when bowling second. “When dew makes conditions challenging, having an extra player provides teams with an additional strategic option. If you’re batting second, you can use the substitution to replace a bowler with a batter, balancing the impact of nature on the game,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained.

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He concluded by noting that the rule has not drastically altered game outcomes, citing that while some teams like Kolkata and Mumbai have seen very high scores, other venues, like Mullanpur where Punjab Kings play, have maintained more typical totals around 160-170. “Games are tighter, and the extra player introduces a new layer of strategy. The impact has not been drastic everywhere,” Ashwin summed up.