Pragyan Ojha was a skilful bowler of his generation that even bagged the ‘Purple Cap’ in the Indian Premier League (IPL) edition 2010. However, it seems like he isn’t favouring his set of department as the three-time IPL winner is in support of the hotly debated ‘Impact Player’s rule in the cash-rich league. In an exclusive chat with InsideSport, Ojha asserted that the rule only forces franchises to strategise innovatively and brings a new flavour to the tournament.
Pragyan Ojha all in for Impact Player in IPL!
The consequences of the Impact Player rule has been on the IPL ever since it came into effect in 2023. It has led to huge totals, bowlers getting smashed to all around the park, but has also forced teams to think outside the box. Ojha believes that these simple changes only add a layer of excitement among fans and will benefit the country as a whole as it offers uniqueness to strategise differently.
“These are the things (Impact player rule) which will eventually evolve because these are the new laws of a tournament which one have to use to your advantage,” said Pragyan Ojha to Insidesport.
The ‘Ashwin’ example!
Ojha even recalled a particular example relating to who else but Ravichandran Ashwin when the shrewd all-rounder retired himself out. The Rajasthan Royals’ all-rounder was having a tough time in a game against the Lucknow Super Giants in the 19th over.
“We don’t know how each team will use this. We saw Ravichandran Ashwin getting retired out for his team’s (Rajasthan Royals) benefit. So, these are the laws which you can really use it well and take advantage of. It pushes you to plan well because if one player gets in, things totally change. So it’s different challenges for everybody where one cannot take things for granted. I know 200 or 220 looks easy in IPL. But that is the beauty about any league or any country that it has to be its own. So they have developed something which will give some excitement to the fans or maybe it will help you enhance as a strategies. So why not?“
Impact Player rule in IPL: Good or bad?
Why is the Impact Player rule in IPL hotly debated? Why are some in favour of it, while others want this tweak to discontinue? Well, it is simply because of the rule’s duology of effects. While it certainly offers something new and leaves some open-ended areas to get fulfilled with innovations, the Impact Player rule is also affecting in hampering to nurture all-rounders. If India want next Hardik Pandya, then this might not be worthy enough to continue. However, given the drama, excitement, and uncertainty it offers, the BCCI may continue with it, at least for another IPL season.
The 2023 edition of the IPL had the highest ever run rate of 8.99, and the record was broken earlier in the year in the 2024 edition, which was 9.67. This clearly states that the Impact Player rule is a bane for bowlers, but Ojha, who served as Governing Council in IPL for multiple years, is all in for this rule to stay.
