"Even If The Impact Player Rule Wasn't There, Scores Would Be This High" - Ravichandran Ashwin About Batting-Friendly Pitches

The concept of the impact player has transformed the way cricket is perceived. The option to bring in an extra batter or bowler at any point in the game has given teams an advantage. While there are concerns about the diminishing role of all-rounders, fans are thrilled by the excitement, as seen in the Indian Premier League 2024. With bowlers getting hit around the park, Ravichandran Ashwin does not acknowledge the impact player's role in the abundance of runs. The IPL 2024 season has seen a never-before-seen approach by the batters. For example, Sunrisers Hyderabad openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma achieved the highest-ever powerplay total of 125 in T20s. Ashwin feels that the batters have become more aggressive and are playing with intent. He also predicted that in the future, even bowlers would take on the roles of batters.

Ravichandran Ashwin about batting-friendly pitches and the role of Impact Player Rule

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced the Impact Player rule in IPL 2023. It has been entertaining for the fans, but the cricketers have not been that supportive of such changes to the game. In the IPL 2024 season, many cricketers and analysts have started raising concerns about this rule. With bowlers getting hit around the park, Ravichandran Ashwin does not acknowledge the impact player's role in the abundance of runs. The IPL 2024 season has seen a never-before-seen approach by the batters. For example, Sunrisers Hyderabad openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma achieved the highest-ever powerplay total of 125 in T20s. Ashwin feels that the batters have become more aggressive and are playing with intent. He also predicted that in the future, even bowlers would take on the roles of batters.

"Even if the impact player rule wasn't there, scores would be this high. In my opinion, batters have more confidence, and pitches everywhere have been standardised. In the future, all bowlers will need to be hitters because we know that no matter how well we bowl, we also need to be able to bat. The game is headed in that direction," Ravichandran Ashwin said after the IPL 2024 Eliminator.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the Impact Player rule has been implemented on a trial basis. He also mentioned that the final decision on making the rule permanent will be taken after extensive discussions with stakeholders after the IPL 2024 season. This rule has not been well-received by some cricketers, including star Indian players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma expressed concerns that the rule would reduce the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket. On the other hand, Kohli was worried about the potential imbalance it could create in the game.

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) season is back in Chennai for its crucial Qualifier 2 encounter. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is set to take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, May 24. The match will start at 7:30 PM. SRH lost the IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 match against Kolkata Knight Riders but has another chance for the championship clash as they will take on Rajasthan, who beat RCB in the Eliminator. The winner will face KKR in the IPL Final on Sunday.