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Wasim Jaffer (Source: Twitter)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) batting coach Wasim Jaffer believes the Indian Premier League (IPL) governing body needs to reconsider a rule ahead of the tournament's 17th edition. The former India cricketer opined that the 'Impact Player' rule, which was introduced ahead of the 2023 IPL season, should be scrapped as it doesn't "encourage all-rounders".
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There were mixed opinions from the cricket fraternity when the law came into force. This is a similar rule in football, which allows teams to make a substitution during a match. A player can be substituted at any stage of the game and he can contribute both with bat and ball as per the team's needs.
Jaffer feels that the 'Impact Player' rule will reduce the importance of all-rounders and Team India needs to produce more three-dimensional players to succeed at the international level.
"I think IPL needs to take away the impact player rule, as it's not encouraging the all rounders to bowl much and lack of ARs and batters not bowling is a major area of concern for Indian cricket. Thoughts?," Jaffer wrote on X.
I think IPL needs to take away the impact player rule, as it's not encouraging the all rounders to bowl much and lack of ARs and batters not bowling is a major area of concern for Indian cricket. Thoughts? #IPL2024 #iplauction2024
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 10, 2023
How does the 'Impact Player' rule impact the role of all-rounders?
The 'Impact Player' rule allows teams to rely less on all-rounders. A player who is efficient with bat and bowl can be a game changer in any match/tournament. The more all-rounders a team has, the more 'balanced' they look. Now with the latest rule, teams can skip all-rounders and fill the lineup with just batters and bowlers. Depending on the match situation, they can substitute a batter or bowler in place of a designated all-rounder.
Notably, Jaffer's comments came a few days before the IPL 2024 mini-auction. The rule may also have an impact in the auction, which will take place on December 19 in Dubai. Franchises might ditch the all-rounders and instead go with specialist batters and bowlers to make full use of the rule.