NEW DELHI:
Virat Kohli
, a prominent Indian batsman, has joined forces with
Rohit Sharma
, the captain of the Indian team, in criticizing the Impact Player substitution rule, asserting that it is "disrupting the balance" of the game.
Kohli emphasized the need for a reevaluation of the rule, which was introduced in the previous season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In a podcast last month, Rohit had already expressed his dissatisfaction with the rule, stating, "I'm not a big fan... It's going to hold back all-rounders. Cricket is played by 11, not 12 (players)." Kohli echoed these sentiments, highlighting the imbalance caused by the mid-innings substitution rule.
The current edition of the IPL has witnessed an unprecedented number of high-scoring matches, with eight totals surpassing 250 runs. Punjab Kings set a new record for the highest successful chase in T20 history by overhauling Kolkata Knight Riders' 262 with eight balls to spare, while Sunrisers Hyderabad posted the highest-ever total in franchise cricket with 287/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kohli empathized with the bowlers' struggles in such a batting-dominated environment.
Kohli emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between bat and ball in cricket, arguing that the beauty of the game lies in the ability to defend modest totals as well.
"Bowlers are feeling like what they should do. I have never experienced anything like it where bowlers think they will concede four or a six on every ball.," Kohli said.
"Not every team has a Bumrah (Jasprit) or the mystery of Rashid Khan," he added.
"I am telling you, with one extra batter there is a reason I am playing with 200-plus strike rate in the powerplays. I know there is a batsman waiting at No. 8 as well. We are playing a high level of cricket and it should not be that dominant in my opinion. There is a beauty about having an equal balance between bat and ball," Kohli stated.
Jay Shah
, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has indicated that the
Impact Player rule
is a "test case" aimed at providing opportunities for two Indian players in each game.
He has also mentioned that the BCCI will engage with stakeholders to evaluate the rule's effectiveness for future IPL editions. Kohli expressed confidence in Shah's commitment to reviewing the rule and finding a solution that restores balance to the game.
(Inputs from PTI)
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