Cricket

MS Dhoni's IPL Future Hinges on 'Impact Player' RuleThe Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) disappointing exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs has sparked speculation about MS Dhoni's future with the franchise. The veteran wicket-keeper batter's performance has been under scrutiny, and the 'Impact Player' rule has emerged as a potential factor in his decision-making.The 'Impact Player' rule allows teams to substitute a player during the match, providing flexibility in batting orders and strategic advantages. Dhoni has benefited from this rule, batting at lower positions (No. 8 or No. 9) and focusing on his strengths: wicket-keeping, leadership, and power-hitting.However, the rule has also faced criticism, with some arguing that it limits the opportunities for all-rounders. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to decide on the rule's continuation next season.Dhoni's age (42) and knee injury have impacted his mobility, making it difficult for him to run between wickets. The 'Impact Player' rule allows CSK to maximize his contributions while grooming younger players.If the rule remains in place, Dhoni may consider continuing his IPL career. However, if it is abolished, he may opt to retire as a player. The BCCI's decision on the rule will play a crucial role in Dhoni's future.The 'Impact Player' rule has the potential to extend the careers of veteran players like Dhoni while also fostering the development of young talent. It remains to be seen whether the BCCI will retain the rule, but it could have a significant impact on Dhoni's decision to continue playing in the IPL.

Virat Kohli, the star batter for Royal Challengers Bangalore, has expressed his disapproval of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He believes that it disrupts the balance of the game and favors batters over bowlers.Kohli's concerns stem from the expectation that bowlers will concede boundaries on every delivery, forcing batters to score at a high rate from the start. He argues that this undermines the traditional balance between bat and ball, which he believes is essential for an exciting and competitive match."I agree with Rohit [Sharma]; I say it how it is. If you see in this IPL, okay, entertainment is [on] one side, but the bowlers are feeling like what they should do [to restrict the batters]," Kohli said. "I have never experienced anything like it where bowlers think they will concede a four or a six every ball."Kohli also pointed out that not all teams have exceptional bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah or Rashid Khan, which further exacerbates the imbalance. He believes that the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, gives an unfair advantage to teams with a strong batting lineup."One extra batter is the reason why I am playing with a 200-plus strike rate in the powerplay. I know there is a batsman coming in at No. 8 as well," Kohli said.Kohli's sentiments have been echoed by other players and coaches, including Rohit Sharma, Ricky Ponting, Axar Patel, and Mukesh Kumar. However, some, like R Ashwin and Ravi Shastri, have supported the rule, arguing that it encourages innovation and forces players to adapt to the changing game.Despite his concerns about the Impact Player rule, Kohli remains excited for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins just five days after the IPL final. He is eager to contribute to India's success and believes that the team has a strong chance of winning the tournament."I can say I am hungry as ever. If I don't have the hunger, you will not see me in the tournament," Kohli said. "If I don't have that mindset, I cannot play... Once the team atmosphere builds up, it's a beautiful journey."

The introduction of the 'Impact Player' rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has sparked debate, with some arguing that it benefits all-rounders while others believe it has created a nightmare for bowlers. Sunrisers Hyderabad's left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed falls into the latter camp, expressing concerns that the rule has given batters an unfair advantage.Ahmed, who has played 12 games this season, has scored 186 runs at a strike rate of 138. However, his bowling has been less impressive, with only three wickets to his name at an economy rate of 10.60. He attributes this to the 'Impact Player' rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match."Now every team has nine batters, an all-rounder, and eight batters," Ahmed explained. "Teams are looking for players who can strike big from ball one and carry on the momentum. The 'Impact Player' rule has affected bowlers more than all-rounders because it gives batters the cushion to play freely."Ahmed believes that teams have become more adept at using the 'Impact Player' as the season has progressed. This has led to a decline in the role of all-rounders, who are now getting fewer opportunities to bowl."The teams didn't know much about how to use it (Impact Player) last season," Ahmed said. "The all-rounders have a reduced role, which means they are getting lesser chances to bowl unlike earlier times when they used to bowl four overs."Despite the challenges posed by the 'Impact Player' rule, Ahmed has praised the leadership of Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins. He credits Cummins with creating a stress-free environment in the dressing room, which has contributed to the team's success."If I talk about myself, whenever Pat throws the ball to me, he always backs me," Ahmed said. "This sort of helps me to soak in pressure well and even if the ball goes to the boundary, he doesn't say anything and keeps motivating all bowlers."Ahmed also revealed that legendary cricketer Virat Kohli gifts him a bat every season. "Virat's bat is by far the best in terms of quality," Ahmed said. "His bat has the right balance and the ping is fabulous. In every IPL season, he has gifted me a willow. His bat really holds high value for me."

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.

Ricky Ponting, the head coach of Delhi Capitals and former Australian captain, believes that high-scoring games will remain a norm in the Indian Premier League (IPL) even if the controversial 'Impact Player' rule is discontinued. The rule allows teams to replace one of the original XI announced at the toss at any point during the match.Ponting's comments come amidst a debate about the rule, with some like India captain Rohit Sharma criticizing it for limiting the opportunities for all-rounders. However, others like Sourav Ganguly have praised it as an innovative addition."There is a talk if the impact player remains in the IPL, if it doesn't, will the scores come down again? I am interested to see that. I am not sure they will," Ponting said.He explained that the rule provides a cushion for top-order batters, but they are already accustomed to playing aggressively. "The guys at the top are so used to going out and playing a certain way," he said.This season, the 200-run mark has been breached 36 times in the IPL, compared to 37 in the previous edition. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has indicated that the rule could be reconsidered based on feedback from stakeholders.Ponting also highlighted the challenges of coaching a franchise team, which he believes is more difficult than coaching a national team. He cited the diverse nationalities involved and the limited time available to build team culture."It's really hard to do that, it is also hard to make big skill changes in such a short period of time," he said.Ponting also discussed the evolution of the game in recent years, noting that the space for batters with "classical technique" is shrinking. He pointed to England's aggressive approach and the rise of players who have grown up playing limited-overs cricket."There still is room for purist batsmen in Test match cricket, but that's going to be less and less," he said.Ponting identified Virat Kohli and Joe Root as among the few top batters with a classical technique. "In the last 10 years there is not a lot of classical technique in the modern day batters," he said.

The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, has sparked mixed reactions among players and coaches. While some, like India captain Rohit Sharma, believe it hinders the development of all-rounders, others, including former India coach Ravi Shastri, see its benefits.Shastri believes the rule has contributed to thrilling finishes in the IPL. "It's got tighter finishes. You have to evolve with the times and I think it's a good rule," he said. He cited the example of Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut for India after starting his IPL career as an Impact Player.BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that the rule is not permanent and will be reviewed after the 2024 T20 World Cup. "We will consult with the players, franchises, broadcasters [and take a call]. This is not permanent [but] I am not saying that it will go," he said.Rohit Sharma was the first high-profile Indian player to criticize the rule, which allows teams to bring in a 12th player at any point in a match to replace a player from the original XI. Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar of Delhi Capitals (DC) also expressed their disapproval.DC head coach Ricky Ponting, however, acknowledged the rule's potential to enhance the tournament's spectacle. "But from my perspective as a coach, he admitted he wasn't too keen on the rule, calling it a "nightmare," he said.Despite the differing opinions, the Impact Player rule has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the IPL. It remains to be seen whether it will become a permanent fixture in the tournament or be phased out after further evaluation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering the future of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after mixed reactions from players and coaches. The rule, introduced in 2023, allows teams to field two additional Indian players in their XI, replacing one overseas player.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the rule's importance in providing opportunities for Indian players. However, he acknowledged that it is not "permanent" and a decision on its continuation will be made after consulting with stakeholders following the 2024 T20 World Cup.The Impact Player rule has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that it has led to inflated scores and hindered the development of all-rounders. Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Mumbai Indians, has been a vocal critic of the rule.Chennai Super Kings batting coach Mike Hussey believes the rule has made IPL games more entertaining but admits it can be challenging for bowlers. Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Mitchell Starc also expressed concerns about the rule's impact on bowlers.Despite the mixed reactions, Shah emphasized that the BCCI will prioritize the opinions of players and coaches in making a decision on the rule's future. He stated that the board will consult with franchises, broadcasters, and other stakeholders before reaching a conclusion.The Impact Player rule has undoubtedly altered the dynamics of the IPL. It has provided opportunities for Indian players, but it has also raised questions about its impact on the game's balance. The BCCI's decision on the rule's future will be closely watched by players, coaches, and fans alike.

The Indian Premier League's (IPL) "Impact Player" rule, introduced in 2023, has sparked debate. However, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah maintains that the board has received no feedback on the rule and will review it after the T20 World Cup.Shah emphasized the rule's benefits, stating that it provides opportunities for two additional Indian players. He highlighted the increased competitiveness it brings to the game. However, he acknowledged that if players express concerns, the board will address them."After the IPL and the World Cup, we will have a meeting and decide," Shah said. "It's not a permanent rule, nor am I saying we will move past it."Shah also clarified that the revival of the Champions League T20 tournament has not been discussed with the ICC, despite claims by Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins.Regarding speculation about his potential candidacy for ICC chair, Shah remained evasive. "Let me be here in BCCI," he said. "Let there be speculation. But let me be here (in the BCCI). Am I not doing a good job?"

Impact Player Rule Fuels High-Scoring IPL Matches, Says Gujarat Titans Captain Shubman GillThe ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season has witnessed a surge in high-scoring matches, with 12 scores exceeding 200 runs. Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill believes the Impact Player rule has played a significant role in this trend.The Impact Player rule allows teams to substitute a player during the match, providing them with an additional option to bolster their batting or bowling lineup. Gill believes this rule gives batters the confidence to play aggressively against bowlers, knowing that they have a cushion in case of wickets falling."I think the Impact Player has a bit of a role (in making the matches high scoring)," Gill said after Gujarat Titans' four-run loss to Delhi Capitals. "Even if you lose extra wickets, there's an extra cushion for the batters to keep going, and it gives them the license to keep going till the end."In the match against Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans bowlers initially restricted the opposition to a manageable total. However, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel's 113-run partnership turned the tide in Delhi's favor. Gill admitted that his team gave away a few too many runs in the latter stages of the innings."At one stage, we thought we would be able to restrict them around 200-210," Gill said. "We gave away a few extra runs in the last couple of overs."Despite the loss, Gill remains optimistic about Gujarat Titans' chances in the tournament. He emphasized the importance of execution for bowlers, especially on small grounds where chasing is easier."The good thing about chasing is that you know what you are chasing," Gill said. "It's a small ground, and it's chaseable. Execution becomes very important [for bowlers]. If there's nothing in the wicket for the bowlers, then you have to execute your plans - or your yorkers."Gujarat Titans will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their next match on Sunday.