Xtra Time Web Desk: India captain Rohit Sharma is “not a fan” of the recently implemented Impact Player rule in the IPL, arguing that it’s damaging the growth of allrounders in Indian cricket. Rohit is the first elite class Indian player to critique the Impact Player rule which was introduced in IPL 2023, which allows teams to bring in a 12th player at any point in a match to replace a player from the XI after the toss.
“I generally feel that it is going to hold back [development of allrounders] because eventually cricket is played by 11 players, not 12 players,” Rohit said on the Club Prairie Podcast, which is co-hosted Adam Gilchirst and Michael Vaughan. “I’m not a big fan of impact player. You are taking out so much from the game just to make it little entertainment for the people around. But if you look [at] genuinely just cricketing aspect of it…. I can give you so many examples – guys like Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube are not getting to bowl, which for us [India team] is not a good thing.”
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Rohit’s comments come two weeks prior Indian selectors will finalise and submit the provisional 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup which will be played in the Caribbean and the USA from June 1 2024. Among all the most significant selections questions which the India’s team management is confronting, is if they should include the likes of Shivam Dube or Riyan Parag as one of the allrounders in the squad.
Indian selection panel faces dilemma: Pant, Samson, or Jitesh for final keeper spot?
As the Indian selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, will decide over its final choices, the spotlight falls on the trio of Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Dube for the wicketkeeper position in the upcoming fixtures. However, the panel faces a conundrum as Dube’s recent lack of regular bowling, both domestically and in IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings, raises questions about his all-round capabilities.
Despite a promising performance in the T20I series against Afghanistan in January, where he bowled seven overs, Dube’s limited recent bowling outings add uncertainty to his selection prospects. Similarly, Washington Sundar, primarily known for his off-spinning prowess and adaptable batting, finds himself in contention despite featuring sparingly for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the current IPL season.
India’s historical reliance on the trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel as all-rounders with batting prowess has been a cornerstone strategy. However, concerns linger over the fitness and form of Pandya and Patel, fueling speculation about potential changes in the all-rounder lineup.
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Reflecting on the evolving dynamics of the game, Indian captain Rohit Sharma voiced scepticism towards the Impact Player Rule, expressing reservations about its potential to alter the role of all-rounders. While acknowledging the rule’s tactical implications, Rohit remained critical, citing concerns about its impact on team balance and strategic flexibility. Despite his reservations, Rohit acknowledged the lack of immediate solutions, underscoring the complex nature of the issue within the IPL framework. As the selection process unfolds, the Indian cricket fraternity awaits the panel’s verdict, keen to see which players will secure their places in the squad.