The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, has sparked controversy among players and experts. While some, like Rohit Sharma, believe it hinders the development of all-rounders, others, like R Ashwin, argue that it adds strategic depth to the game.
Ashwin believes the rule encourages innovation and makes the game fairer. He cites the example of Shahbaz Ahmed, who became a match-winner for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024 after being brought in as an Impact Player.
“It gives a little more value for strategy,” Ashwin said. “The other side of that argument is it doesn’t encourage all-rounders. But no one is stopping them.”
Ashwin argues that the rule has not prevented all-rounders from emerging. He points to Venkatesh Iyer, who has impressed for Lancashire in England.
“There’s an opportunity for innovation and it makes the game fairer,” Ashwin said.
He also believes the rule has helped players move up the ranks, including Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, and Dhruv Jurel.
“If not for the Impact Player rule, he may have never gotten the chance,” Ashwin said of Jurel.
However, Ashwin opposes the reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule, which allows teams to retain players they have released.
“If a franchise has released a player because they don’t see him in their top four or five, then what gives them the right to jump in during an auction,” Ashwin argued.
He suggests that players should have the option to decide if they want to be RTMed and that a pre-determined price should be set by the player.
