The BCCI secretary Jay Shah has finally broken his silence on the controversial Impact Player rule that has been used in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the last two years. The rule has drawn significant criticism from many cricketers. In a recent interview, Shah discussed the pros and cons of the Impact Player rule and also shared his views on the retention of players for the IPL season.
Addressing the Impact Player Rule
Shah admitted that the Impact Player rule has both advantages and disadvantages. He also admitted that the rule might not be great for the growth of all-rounders. But it also provides a talented Indian player with an opportunity to showcase their talent by being an extra player in the team.
“We had a long chat with the franchise owners in the recent meeting we had. The impact player rule has its pros and cons. The negative is that it makes the allrounder’s role redundant. The positive is it creates a spot for an Indian player to showcase his talent,” Shah said.
He also emphasized that the broadcaster’s perspective will be crucial, as they are paying a significant amount of money. But ultimately the game’s interests will be the top priority for the administrators.
“We should also think about the broadcaster who is paying a lot of money. But as an administrator for me, the game is bigger. We will decide in a few days,” Shah noted.
Pros and Cons of the Impact Player Rule
The Impact Player rule has reduced the role of all-rounders, as teams now have the option to field an extra player who can bat or bowl. As a result, the teams have been not providing much opportunities to young, inexperienced all-rounders.
On the flip side, teams like Punjab Kings have benefited from this rule. Players like Ashutosh Sharma making an impact as the Impact Player and proving to be a valuable find for the team.
Retention and Mega Auctions
Shah also discussed the number of player retentions allowed for an IPL team and the need for mega-auctions. While some franchises favor player retentions, others are against the rule and have even asked for the mega-auctions to be scrapped as it requires a lot of time and effort to build a team.
“We have heard everyone out. Now, the decision rests on us. We must take the majority view on it. But even the minority view is important. The teams that are settled do not want a mega auction. Those franchises that have an unsettled team, want a mega auction,” Shah revealed.
Additionally, the BCCI secretary added that consistency is indeed important; however, variations in the order of things make it fascinating and contribute to development of cricket across the globe.
The final decision regarding impact player rule and player retention will be taken by BCCI and IPL governing council. Moreover, they will also consider the recommendations from franchise owners.
