Legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers has opened up about whether the “Impact Player” rule should be introduced in the SA20 league. AB de Villiers also said that he has never been a big fan of the “Impact Player” rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), adding that he finds the rule confusing.
The IPL’s controversial impact player rule has been extended until 2027. Many believe the rule benefits batters while diminishing the role of all-rounders. Players like Rohit Sharma and cricket legend Jonty Rhodes have also expressed their concerns, fearing that the rule could harm the balance of the game.
From the Outside, It Looks Exciting – AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers said that he feels the Impact Player rule is confusing, adding that it puts a bit of pressure on the all-rounders and their role in the teams. De Villiers stated that the rule may seem exciting on paper, but it doesn’t add value to the game.
“I’ve never been a big fan, to be honest, and I did speak about it at the IPL last season. I feel it’s a bit confusing, it also puts a bit of pressure on the all-rounders and their role in the teams,” stated de Villiers.
“From the outside it looks exciting, but actually when the game takes place, I’ve never found it to be… a good thing to have in cricket. So, I mean, you can try it out. And the SA20, they’ve always been open to new ideas and new rules, which I find good,” he said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
I’m a Fan of That and I Believe in That Because… – AB de Villiers
However, AB de Villiers feels that the Impact Player rule reduces the impact of the toss. De Villiers said that picking two different playing XIs for a match based on the toss allows teams to make more strategic decisions.
“I do like the fact that you don’t have to put out, or rather, you can put out two teams at the toss, and the minute you win or lose the toss, you can sort of hand out a different sheet. I’m a fan of that and I believe in that because the more we get the toss not to play a role in cricket, the better for the game and I feel that is a nice way of countering it,” said AB de Villiers.
“If you lose the toss on a difficult wicket or a turning track, you have the opportunity to change your team or to hand in a different sheet. So, I’m a fan of that, and obviously, there’s lots of room for improvement with regards to the room for experimentation.”
The Impact Player Rule, Introduced in the IPL Ahead of the 2023 Season
The Impact Player rule, introduced in the IPL ahead of the 2023 season, allows a 12th player to replace any player in the starting XI during a match. While it has been in place for two years, it has sparked mixed reactions. Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the few players who supports the continuation of the rule.
In the most recent IPL 2024 season, there was growing criticism, with many all-rounders cutting down on their bowling duties due to the rule’s impact on team dynamics. Batting totals and bowlers’ economy rates reached all-time highs. Teams scored over 250 runs multiple times during the IPL season.
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