As India gears up for the T20 World Cup, captain Rohit Sharma has raised concerns about the impact of the newly introduced ‘Impact Player’ rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sharma believes this rule could prove detrimental to the development of crucial allrounders for the Indian team.
Hindering Bowling Opportunities
Rohit highlighted the cases of Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube, two promising allrounders who have struggled to get opportunities to bowl in the IPL due to the Impact Player rule. “You are taking out so much from the game just to make it a little entertaining for the people around,” Sharma said, expressing his disapproval of the rule.
Imbalance in Team Dynamics
The Indian captain pointed out that cricket is traditionally played by 11 players, not 12, and the Impact Player rule could disrupt the balance of teams. “I can give you so many examples – guys like Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube are not getting to bowl, which for us [India team] is not a good thing,” Rohit stated.
Crucial for T20 World Cup
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Rohit’s concerns stem from the need for a well-rounded Indian squad. Allrounders like Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are vital for the team’s balance, and the lack of opportunities for players like Sundar and Dube could hamper their preparedness for the marquee event.
No Clear Solutions
While voicing his opposition to the Impact Player rule, Rohit acknowledged the lack of clear solutions. “I don’t know what you can do about it, but I’m not a fan of it honestly speaking,” he said, highlighting the potential drawbacks of the rule in terms of team selection and strategy.
The Way Forward
As the IPL progresses and the T20 World Cup approaches, the Indian team management will need to find a way to ensure their allrounders receive ample opportunities to showcase their skills. Striking the right balance between innovation and traditional cricket principles will be crucial for India’s success on the global stage.
