IPL 2023: Venkatesh Iyer on use of Impact Player in the IPL

Venkatesh Iyer on use of Impact Player in the IPL: Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen Venkatesh Iyer reckons that the introdcution of the Impact player rule in the IPL 2023 has reduced the utility of all-rounders.

Iyer said that with the rule in place, teams would obviously prefer a specialist sixth bowling option as a substitute instead of giving overs to an all-rounder.

As per the Impact Player rule, both teams can announce five players as substitutes ahead of the game. And can utilize the services of one of them during the course of the match. The option has proved to be quite a big hit among franchises, adding an interesting dimension to the T20 league.

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Iyer, who has also been utilized as an Impact Player by KKR. He opined that the introduction of the rule has significantly changed the dynamics of the IPL. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Kolkata’s match against Delhi Capitals (DC), he commented:

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“Honestly, with the coming of impact players, the number of overs an all-rounder is bowling has dropped down drastically. Obviously, if a team has a specialist bowler as their sixth bowler and they don’t want to try their all-rounder…. this is what impact player rule has brought. It has lessened the utility of all-rounders.”

The 28-year-old, however, agreed that the rule is here to stay, admitting that Impact Players are turning out to be X factors. He elaborated:

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“It’s a very interesting rule that has come in place. If you are playing in the IPL, it’s an international level tournament, the think tank is so big in the every team. I guess they might have figured it out in the very first match itself. By now everyone knows how to use the impact player. If you see the results, the impact players are turning out to be an X factor.”

“I am 100 percent ready to bowl. I was given clearance by the NCA. The most pleasing thing is not the runs I am scoring, the thing that I am back on the field and playing in such a big tournament.”

The southpaw became only the second KKR batter to score a century in the IPL when he smashed 104 off 51 balls against Mumbai Indians (MI).

(With Input From Sportskeeda)