Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the introduction of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has added a layer of strategy that would disappear if the rule were eliminated.
The rule has faced considerable criticism, with some, including Rohit Sharma, expressing discontent, saying he isn’t a “big fan” of it. Critics argue that the rule hinders the development of all-rounders and inflates team scores due to the advantage of having an additional batter if the team opts for it.
On Kris Srikkanth's YouTube show, Cheeky Cheeka, Ashwin shared his perspective, stating that the Impact Player rule enhances strategic depth in the game. He acknowledged the counterargument that it might discourage all-rounders but noted that no one is actually being prevented from playing dual roles. Ashwin mentioned that in the current era, players often don’t engage in both batting and bowling, not because of the rule, but as a matter of choice. He pointed out Venkatesh Iyer’s success with Lancashire as an example of a player thriving despite these concerns. For Ashwin, the rule fosters innovation and brings balance to the game.
He further illustrated his point by recalling an instance from IPL 2024's Qualifier 2, where Sunrisers Hyderabad utilised Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player against Rajasthan Royals after posting a total of 175 for 9. Ahmed’s contribution of 3 for 23 turned him into a match-winner, demonstrating the rule’s potential to influence the outcome.
Ashwin also highlighted how the rule provides teams with a tactical advantage, particularly when dew can make matches one-sided. Teams bowling second, for instance, can deploy an additional bowler to counter the conditions, while those batting second can swap out an extra bowler for a batter.
He pointed out that while some venues like Kolkata or Mumbai have seen soaring scores, other locations, such as Punjab Kings' home ground in Mullanpur, have remained more competitive, with scores hovering around 160-170.
Discussing the broader implications of the rule, Ashwin credited it for giving opportunities to players who might otherwise have been overlooked. He mentioned the rise of Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, and Dhruv Jurel as examples, suggesting that without the Impact Player rule, these players might not have had the chance to showcase their talents. Though he clarified that this isn’t the only pathway for players to emerge, he argued that it has proven beneficial.
On a different note, with a major auction approaching, the possible reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule has sparked debate. The RTM rule, unused since 2018, allows franchises to retain players by matching the highest bid during an auction. However, Ashwin is not in favour of its current format.
He questioned the fairness of allowing franchises to reclaim players they’ve previously released, particularly if they didn't consider them essential to their core lineup. Ashwin proposed that the decision to exercise the RTM should rest with the player, who should only be subject to the rule if a pre-agreed contract is in place, specifying a minimum retention amount decided by the player himself.