Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar challenge the impact player rule after SRH’s victory, arguing that it “works as per batter’s convenience.”

A point of discussion in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is the “impact player rule.” Many believe that it prevents the next generation of all-rounders from developing and gives the batting side an unfair edge. Following Mohammed Siraj of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) saying that the IPL should abolish the regulation, Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar of the Delhi Capitals (DC) both expressed opposition to it.

Axar said that the rule has harmed his batting position, despite the fact that he hasn’t scored in double figures in his previous four games. Abhishek Porel is a frequent impact player for DC.

“Whoever is making the rules, they are thinking that everything will work as per the batter’s convenience,” he said. “It has undoubtedly been challenging (for the bowlers). It’s challenging, in my opinion, but you will undoubtedly have the chance to succeed in such circumstances if you possess the necessary abilities.

“Everyone receives an extra batsman under the Impact subrule, which makes them believe that they will employ the batter in the event that the batting unit struggles. And knowing they have a guy in seventh or eighth place, whoever shows up to play doesn’t waste any time getting started (hitting) from the first ball.

“That is why I am not a big fan of the rule, because as an all-rounder, I know that they will either take a proper batsman or a bowler, not an all-rounder.”

The all-round spin specialist claimed to have discussed the matter with Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly, head coach Ricky Ponting, and DC captain Rishabh Pant.

“Ricky Ponting, Dada (Sourav Ganguly), and I (Rishabh) have discussed it. I can play early, but you have to give a young player his spot if you want to give them a chance. I have to go down the order due to the Impact Sub rule.”

Rule increases batters’ bravery

Because of the vast hitting order created by the regulation, Mukesh believes that hitters are now more courageous.

“What use does the Indian Premier League have for 12 players who aren’t competing at the international level? With 12 players, even if four wickets are lost, the next player will come and play their strokes without fear of being out or of stabilizing the team. Therefore, he stated, either the tracks’ nature should be altered or the number of players should be limited to 12.”

Warner desires that the regulation remain in place.

David Warner, on the other hand, believes that the impact player rule is fine as it allows the team to employ their bench strength based on the circumstances of the game.

“So, the game is changing, isn’t it? Thus, I believe that individuals are only experimenting. You know you want to make the most of it if you have 15–16 players on the bench. Will the next ten years see significant changes to the game? “It most likely will,” the Australian starter said.

“It seems to have eliminated the all-around choice at this point. As cricket players, we are loving the fact that we are adjusting. It’s also strategically advantageous to sit on the bench because you can insert that batter if you’re not making runs.”

DC has lost five of their last eight games, and they are presently ranked eighth in the standings. The team captained by Pant lost badly against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). On April 24, they will play the Gujarat Titans (GT) at home.