After the ‘Impact Player’ rule was introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament of 2022–2023, Rohit Sharma has stated that he does not like it. The India skipper lamented the negative impact of all-rounder development in a recent episode of the Club Prairie Fire Podcast.
Ultimately, cricket is played by 11 players, not 12, so I typically feel that it will hold back [all-rounders].” Rohit stated on the podcast, which also included Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan. “I don’t think highly of impact players. To make the game slightly more engaging for those nearby, you are extracting a great deal from it. However, if you look at it from a purely cricketing perspective, I can think of countless examples: players like Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube aren’t getting to bowl, which is bad news for the Indian team.
With India’s team selection approaching in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, Rohit’s remarks are relevant. Their top-order batsmen don’t have much bowling experience, therefore the winners of the 2007 championship will need to work on their balance. As the seam-bowling all-rounder, Rohit will be counting on Hardik Pandya to get back to form; Ravindra Jadeja is his spin-bowling counterpart.
In their last Twenty20 International match before the IPL, India faced Dube. The all-rounder scored a career-high 124 runs at a strike-rate of 158.97 and claimed two wickets in his seven overs. The 30-year-old has continued his successful run at bat with the Chennai Super Kings, but his bowling services are no longer valid due to the ‘Impact Substitute’ judgment. In six games, Sunrisers Hyderabad have only need Washington to surrender three overs.
The rule may have a big effect on Dube’s selection in the team, especially considering how good he is at spin, which India needs in the middle order on the slower surfaces of the Caribbean. Regarding the IPL and its prospects in light of this regulation, Rohit lacked specific ideas.
“I don’t know what you can do about it, but I’m not a fan of it [the rule] honestly speaking,” he replied. “There are clearly 12 players available for you to choose from, and you can watch how the game is progressing and adjust it later based on your needs and the way the pitch is acting.
You may add a bowler to give yourself a total of six or seven bowlers if you bat effectively and don’t lose wickets. Many of the teams up front are hitting well, so you don’t really need that additional hitter, and you barely ever see Nos. 7 or 8 bat.