Rohit Sharma says he is not a big fan of ‘Impact player rule,’ explains why it is not helping the Indian cricket

IPL 2024: Rohit Sharma hundred vs CSK

Rohit Sharma of Mumbai Indians scores century during match 29 of the Indian Premier League season 17 (IPL 2024) between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on the 14th April 2024. (Sportzpics)

Team India captain Rohit Sharma has made it clear that he is not a big fan of “Impact Player Rule” and also explained why it is not going to help the Indian cricket going ahead.

“I am not a big fan of Impact sub rule. It is going to hold all rounders back, eventually cricket is played by 11 players not 12 players. You are taking out so much from game to make it entertaining for people around,” he said on the podcast “Club Prairie Fire.”

Rohit further explained that the new rule is not helping the Indian all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube. Sundar has hardly getting game time for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Dubey, who is the leading run-getter for Chennai Super Kings, but he is yet to bowl in the tournament.

“If you look just from the cricketing aspect of it I feel guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren’t getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing.

Shivam Dube of Chennai Superkings during match 29 of the Indian Premier League season 17 (IPL 2024) between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on the 14th April 2024. (Sportzpics)

“I don’t know what you can do about it. There are 12 players for you, it is entertaining, you can bring on the impact player after watching how the game is going, how the pitch is behaving.

“If you bat well and you don’t lose wickets, you can add another bowler, it gives you an option of six or seven bowlers. You don’t require that extra batter because a lot of teams are batting well up front and you hardly see a No 7 or No 8 coming to bat,” he said.

Also Read | Why Rohit Sharma is not staying with his Mumbai Indians teammates in home matches?

Adam Gilchrist’s take

Adam Gilchrist, who is also a host of the podcast said the new rule is kind of killing the integrity of the sport.

“I think it has added something special. It’s all built for spectators and for their entertainment. You are compromising the fundamental of the cricket,” said Gilchrist.

“Why T20 was so entertaining, because you were not compromising with the integrity of cricket. It is 11 vs 11, same size field, the field restrictions are also the same. There was no gimmick needed. I think it is bit concerning,” Gilchrist added.

“They showed the stats 250+ score in 2008-2023 IPL was only 2 times and this year IPL it’s already 4 250+ scores. It’s not bad bowling, it’s just people coming free mindset & smacking all over the part. That’s how T20 cricket played these days.”

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