"The Game Of Cricket Has Always Been Of 11 Players" - David Miller Disapproves Of The Impact Player Rule

Back in IPL 2023, when the Impact Player rule was introduced, teams were well prepared to make the Indian Premier League a 12-player contest despite their early doubts. Teams would shortlist five substitutes to pick from when needed. By the IPL 2024 season, teams had a fair idea of how to use it, and the franchise started using it as a secret weapon to strengthen their squad, which started affecting the role of a pure all-rounder on the side. Teams have used the Impact Player rule to score extra runs this season. Entertainment-wise, cricket fans are getting their money's worth. However, many cricketers, including Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel, have started raising concerns about this rule. Gujarat Titans' hard-hitting finisher David Miller is the newest member to join this bandwagon.

David Miller disapproves of the 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. Gujarat Titans' hard-hitting finisher David Miller has become the latest cricketer to express his disapproval of the Impact player rule.

While the Impact player rule has contributed to IPL's entertainment value, many famous cricketers have started raising concerns about this rule. Ahead of match 40 between the Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, star South African finisher David Miller shared his opinion on the 'Impact Player' rule during the pre-match press conference.

"The impact player rule, I am not a big fan of it. IPL has been a trial and is creating a lot of hype around it. The game of cricket has always been of 11 players. As Rohit mentioned, it is not the same in international cricket so we should keep the same," David Miller said.

By the IPL 2024 season, teams had a fair idea of how to use it, and the franchise started using it as a secret weapon to strengthen their squad, which started affecting the role of a pure all-rounder on the side. Earlier, Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Mohammed Siraj also shared their opinion regarding the Impact Player rule and how the all-rounders have been affected.

"It's like having six bowlers and eight batters and taking the all-rounders out of contention. I don't know what they're going to decide if they want to keep it, but it is difficult for certain allrounders to bowl," David Miller added.

The Impact player rule had a bigger hand in the IPL 2024 season's significant increase in high scores. Five of the six highest totals ever recorded in the IPL history have occurred during this season, with teams easily surpassing the 220-run mark on multiple occasions. Gujarat Titans will take on Delhi Capitals in their next match of IPL 2024 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.