The impact player rule has received much flak since its introduction in the IPL 2023 season. Players and coaches aren’t exactly in favour of the new innovation. But the broadcasters love it, and so despite heavy criticism, the rule has continued to be applied in the IPL. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has admitted that there are some disadvantages when it comes to the impact player rule, but as an administrator, he feels that he needs to look out for both sides of the aisle.
Jay Shah on Impact Player Rule
The administrator revealed that the impact player rule was brought up in the meeting with IPL franchise owners on July 31, and that talks about the rule have been going on in domestic cricket as well. Shah admitted that all-rounders are getting affected, but an extra Indian player also gets an opportunity because of the rule. A prime example of this was Washington Sundar playing just 2 matches in the IPL 2024 season despite being a starter in India’s T20I side due to the Sunrisers Hyderabad feeling no need for his all-rounder brilliance, opting to replace a batter for a bowler or vice versa.
“We had a long chat about this in the recent meeting with the franchise owners. We had a long chat among our domestic teams also. There are positives and negatives to it. The negative is that it affects the all-rounders and the positive side is that it gives an opportunity to an extra Indian player. We should think about the broadcasters also. For me as an administrator, the game is important. Let’s see what feedback we’re getting,” the BCCI Secretary told Times of India.
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Future of IPL mega auction
In the meeting between the BCCI office-bearers and the IPL franchise owners, the most contentious topic turned out to be the IPL mega auction. Teams that fared well in the 2024 season felt that the mega auction should be done away with. Their argument was that they’d spent years developing players, and after three years, it wasn’t right that they could retain just 4 players. However, the franchises that didn’t do well had a completely opposite view. This led to a verbal fight between Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan and Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia.
Jay Shah stated that teams with a good squad are against the IPL mega auction, while the less balanced sides are in favour. He hinted that the big auction will continue, saying that ‘shuffling’ is important for the growth of the game.
“We’ve heard the views of all the franchises. For us a minority view is as important as the majority opinion. Ultimately the office-bearers (of the BCCI) will decide. Those who have a good side said there is no need for the big auction and those without a good side wanted the big auction. Continuity is important as shuffling, for the growth of the game,” the administrator added.
