Shastri and Ashwin Back Impact Player Rule: Cites Close Finishes and Jurel's Example

Some current players and coaches in the IPL are not too fond of the Impact Player regulation. However, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and former India coach Ravi Shastri are in favor of it, stating that it has given people the freedom to seize opportunities and has contributed to a number of close finishes, especially this season.

"Impact Player (rule) is reasonable. In his YouTube video, Shastri advised Ashwin, "You have to change with the times.

It's true that similar incidents occur in other sports. Tighter finishes are the result of it. As I mentioned before, it's a good rule to adapt to the times. You witnessed how many close calls we had in the Indian Premier League last year. Thus, it has significantly changed."

Ashwin used Dhruv Jurel, a keeper-batter who started as an Impact Player in the 2023 IPL and made his Test debut for India in the home Test series against England a year later, as an example. Dhruv Jurel has been observed by us. He started his IPL career as an Impact Player last year, and a few months later, he gets to play international cricket for India.

"So, it (Impact Player rule) does provide a player with a chance to utilise the opportunities, which could then fetch him something bigger going forward," Ashwin explained.

Shastri continued, "You know that whenever a new regulation is implemented, some people will try to argue why it's wrong. However, people will begin to reconsider their perspectives when scores of 200 and 190 and beyond are observed, as you said, and at that point, people will seize the chance to maximize their potential."

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.