Sourav Ganguly Backs Impact-Player Rule, Advocates for Bigger IPL Grounds

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain and current director of cricket for the Delhi Capitals, has expressed his support for retaining the impact-player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he believes that teams should make their decisions regarding the impact player before the toss.

The impact-player rule allows teams to substitute a player from their bench into the playing XI during the match. This rule has been a topic of discussion after the recent IPL season, which saw a significant increase in high-scoring matches. Ganguly believes that the rule adds an element of strategy and skill to the game.

"I like the impact player rule. My only thing with IPL is that I just want the grounds to be a bit bigger. The fences should go a little behind," Ganguly said. "It is a great tournament. The only thing you can do with the impact player is decide before the toss, so it's a bit of skill there."

Ganguly also commented on the performance of Prithvi Shaw, who had a disappointing IPL season. He emphasized that Shaw is still a young player and needs time to adjust to the demands of T20 cricket.

"He (Prithvi Shaw) is a young kid. He is just 23. He is still learning how to play T20 cricket. He is a very fine talent and he will get better. Sometimes, we expect too much too early from everyone and I am sure Prithvi, with the skills he has, he will do well," he added.

Ganguly praised Rishabh Pant for his return to form after his car accident in 2022. He believes that Pant has worked hard to regain his fitness and skills.

"He was superb for us (DC) in the IPL. I was so happy to see the way he came back, because I have always said that he is a special player," Ganguly said. "Even earlier, I have said that he is exceptional. You don't want such talent to be lost for such disastrous reasons (accident). He has really worked hard to get back to where he is and he is the Rishabh Pant of old."

Ganguly also expressed his hope that Wriddhiman Saha, the wicketkeeper-batter, will be selected by the Bengal selectors. Saha has expressed his desire to return to Bengal after playing for Tripura for two years.

"He wants to play for Bengal and rightfully so. He is a Bengal boy," Ganguly said. "He went away to Tripura for two years because he was playing there as a professional. He has finished that and he wants to be in Bengal. I am sure the selectors will pick him for Bengal."

Tags: #IPL, #ImpactPlayerRule, #SouravGanguly, #PrithviShaw, #RishabhPant