Last Updated:
The impact player rule was first introduced in the IPL during the 2023 season, and despite mixed feedback from teams and players, it will continue in the IPL.
Shreyas Iyer credits impact player rule for changing batter’s mindset. (Picture Credit: AP)
Star Indian batter Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the Indian Premier League (IPL) title win last year, feels that the impact player rule is taking the all-rounder’s aspect out of the game, but at the same time it has given more confidence to batters, who now don’t stop themselves from playing big shots from the ball one.
“The impact player rule has completely changed the mindset of all batsmen. And even though we didn’t have that rule in SMAT, still that perception of all the players is to go out there and basically excel from ball one. And when you have that kind of belief, even if you just strike from ball one, it kind of gives you that boost that you can take on every delivery,” Iyer was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
“And you know that you have got great depth in the batting line-up, so the players can come in and basically go bonkers from ball one. That is something that has boosted a lot of batsmen’s confidence going forward. And the change is obviously inevitable. You can’t control the emotions of the batsmen. And if you feel, personally as a batsman, that you can take on any bowler, you just go for it,” he added.
According to the 30-year-old right-handed Indian batter, teams have to strategise to make the best use of the impact player rule, which was introduced in the IPL for the first time in the 2023 season.
“I do feel it is taking the all-rounder aspect out of the game. But also at the same time, I feel that you have to strategise accordingly. Teams have to think. It’s not that you just come out with an XI and you play. You have to see to it that you’re using the right players at the right time. And how you use it depends completely on the coach and the captain. There’s a lot of brainstorming, chopping, and changing since this rule came in. You have to be resourceful; the more panic and chaos you create here and there, the more difficult it becomes.”
