Virat Kohli’s Candid Thoughts on the Impact Player Rule: Disrupting the Balance

Virat Kohli Joins Rohit Sharma in Criticizing Impact Player Substitution Rule in IPL

In a recent interview on Jio Cinema, Virat Kohli echoed the sentiments of India skipper Rohit Sharma in criticizing the Impact Player substitution rule in the IPL, stating that it is “disrupting the balance” of the game. The mid-innings substitution rule, introduced in the previous edition of the IPL, has sparked controversy among players and fans alike.

Kohli expressed his concerns about the rule, saying, “I agree with Rohit. Entertainment is one aspect of the game but there is no balance. I think it has disrupted the balance and a lot of people are feeling this way, not just me.”

Rohit Sharma had previously voiced his disapproval of the rule in a podcast, stating, “I’m not a big fan… It’s going to hold back all-rounders. Cricket is played by 11, not 12 (players).”

The ongoing IPL season has seen some record-breaking performances, with Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad setting new benchmarks for successful chases and highest totals in franchise cricket, respectively. However, Kohli highlighted the challenges faced by bowlers in the high-scoring matches, emphasizing the need for a balance between bat and ball.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has acknowledged the concerns raised by players and fans regarding the Impact Player rule and has indicated that they will review its implementation in future editions of the IPL. Kohli expressed optimism that the stakeholders will come to a conclusion that brings the game back into balance.

As the debate over the Impact Player rule continues, players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma are advocating for a more balanced and exciting cricketing experience, where both batsmen and bowlers have equal opportunities to shine on the field.