Mohammed Siraj, the fast bowler representing both India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has voiced his disapproval of the Impact Player rule, calling for its removal from the tournament.
Speaking ahead of RCB’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Mohammed Siraj expressed his frustration with the rule, suggesting that it heavily favors batsmen and leaves little room for bowlers to make an impact. “Please remove this Impact Sub thing,” Siraj exclaimed, highlighting the flat wickets and aggressive batting seen in IPL matches.
The IPL this year has witnessed a surge in run rates, with the team run rate averaging 9.48 in the 37 matches played so far, marking the highest for a single edition of the tournament. Sunrisers Hyderabad notably scored a record-breaking total of 287 runs against RCB, surpassing their previous high of 277 runs against Mumbai Indians in the same season. Siraj emphasized how such high-scoring matches have become increasingly common, reflecting a shift in the game dynamics.
Echoing Mohammed Siraj’s sentiments, India captain Rohit Sharma had previously expressed his reservations about the Impact Player rule, stating that it restricts opportunities for all-rounders and disrupts the balance of the game. “You are taking out so much from the game to make it entertaining for people around,” Rohit remarked on the ‘Club Prairie Fire’ podcast, emphasizing the adverse effects on players like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar.
As discussions around the Impact Player rule continue, players like Mohammed Siraj and Rohit advocate for a reconsideration of the rule’s implementation, emphasizing the need to preserve the integrity and balance of cricket in the IPL.
