Following the introduction of the Impact Player rule in the 2023 Indian Premier League, teams would have the opportunity to deploy an additional batting option if needed, provided they took their time to comprehend the regulations.
It has undoubtedly been the case in the IPL 2024, as teams have been able to take advantage of the decision to insert an extra batter and increase the scoring rate, which is pushing batting totals to previously unheard-of heights.
According to data from Cricket-21, as of Match 29 of the IPL 2024, 487 sixes have been hit. The average number of sixes hit in a match is 17, and a six is hit every 14 balls. There have been 10468 runs scored in the competition thus far, yielding a high run rate of 9.3.
An innings is scored at 180 runs on average, with a boundary being hit once every five balls. A boundary is being hit every four deliveries if one limits their focus to the last five overs. Furthermore, up to 29 matches, all of the aforementioned figures represent the best-ever results for an IPL season.
The impact player ruling is to blame for this increase in batting statistics, according to Mithali Raj, the former captain of the Indian women’s team who coached the Gujarat Giants team for two seasons of the Women’s Premier League.
“The Impact Player rule has undoubtedly been effective because it helps the teams when batters and bowlers are switched during the second inning. We’ve seen how it has aided teams in scoring high totals and, more importantly, in pursuing.
“We have also observed that it is being used more frequently this season when the batting unit has underperformed. In certain situations, they have utilised impact players, but it hasn’t really worked out. However, it has undoubtedly benefited the teams greatly when they have been pursuing, Mithali stated in response to an IANS question in the Star Sports Press Room.
Irfan Pathan, the former fast bowler for India and Player of the Match in the 2007 T20 World Cup final, believes Indian cricket needs to reconsider the impact rule because it will ultimately impede the development of all-rounders, even though batting numbers are reaching new heights in the IPL 2024 as a result of it.
In the long run, the rule could not be beneficial for Indian cricket as players like Venkatesh Iyer and Shivam Dube haven’t played much bowling. In addition, there are some all-round players who can bowl but who primarily play as batters and are not allowed to be in the starting lineup. You also want the kids to participate in the game.
“I have serious concerns about all-rounders, and we should consider this going ahead. Mithali correctly pointed out that the Impact Player rule benefits the entertaining aspect of cricket, which is high-scoring matches. However, in the future, Indian cricket will need to consider it in relation to all-rounders.
Shivam Dube was an Impact Player for the reigning champion Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 IPL, where he was assigned as the team’s designated spin batter. Dube has been deployed by CSK in the Impact Player role this season, and he is now punishing fast bowlers and spinners with equal vigour.
Dube’s incredible run at the bat since the IPL 2023, which includes putting up strong all-around performances after rejoining India’s T20I squad later in the year, puts him in a strong position to make the T20 World Cup squad, where he will face Hardik Pandya for the fast-bowling all-rounder position. He will eventually exert pressure on Hardik Pandya, as you can see. When it comes to bowling, he is unmatched by anyone with Shivam Dube’s kind of striking power. He’s managed to kill the spinning. When it comes to Indian cricket players that are actively playing or attempting to play, nobody compares to him.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is negotiable due of his retirement. Shivam Dube, however, is the greatest batsman in the middle overs, and I will be very upset if he skips the World Cup. Yuvraj Singh, a player who can knock six sixes, is someone we have missed in many World Cups and in T20 World Cups as well. In 16–17 balls, who can reach a half-century? Shivam Dube is the type of person who performs without fear right away.
When he entered the field during the CSK vs. KKR game last week, the first ball he faced was a left-arm spinner, and the second ball he hit was so spectacular that I had never seen anything like it. Indeed, Hardik’s hitting prowess has declined, which is why Shivam Dube is also receiving a lot of attention.”
“I’m very excited about Shivam Dube and what he can bring to the table, but it might be that both of them will take the flight to the World Cup because you have to take the experience as well,” Pathan said in closing.
Read More
IPL2024: In a low-scoring thriller, Shimron Hetmyer shines as RR defeats PBKS by three wickets (ld)
IPL 2024: Royals demolish MI by six wickets (Ld) thanks to Trent’s thunderbolts and Parag’s 54*