"Shastri and Ashwin Back 'Impact Player' Rule, Citing Close Finishes"

The "Impact Player" rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, has sparked controversy among experts and players. However, former India coach Ravi Shastri and senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have come out in support of the rule, arguing that it leads to more exciting and close finishes.

Shastri believes that the rule encourages players to take risks and make the most of their opportunities. "When any new rule comes in, there will be people who will try to justify why that's not right," he said. "But with time, when you see the scores - 200 and 190 - and then, individuals grabbing that opportunity and making the most of it, people will start re-looking at how they think about it."

Ashwin echoed Shastri's sentiments, stating that the rule has made the game more competitive. "I think it's a good rule. You saw the number of tight finishes we had in last year's IPL. So, it has made a big difference," he said.

The rule allows teams to substitute one player from their starting lineup with a designated "Impact Player" after the 14th over of the first innings or the 10th over of the second innings. This gives teams the flexibility to adjust their strategy based on the match situation.

However, some players, including India skipper Rohit Sharma and Delhi Capitals' Axar Patel, have expressed concerns that the rule could hinder the development of all-rounders. Sharma believes that it takes away from the traditional 11-player format of the game.

Despite these concerns, the BCCI has indicated that the rule is not permanent and will be reviewed after the World Cup. Secretary Jay Shah said that the rule is intended to give more opportunities to Indian players and make the game more competitive.

The "Impact Player" rule has certainly sparked debate and discussion within the cricket community. While some believe it adds excitement and unpredictability to the game, others worry about its potential impact on the development of all-rounders. Only time will tell whether the rule will become a permanent fixture in the IPL or be phased out in the future.

Tags: #IPL, #ImpactPlayer, #RaviShastri, #RavichandranAshwin, #CricketRules