BENGALURU: When the Impact Player rule was introduced in the IPL in 2023, it sparked excitement for adding a tactical twist. But the initial buzz didn’t last long. Over the past two seasons, the rule has increasingly come under scrutiny, with players and teams questioning its long-term impact, particularly on the role of Indian all-rounders.

Most captains have recently voiced their reservations. Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill was blunt in his assessment, saying the rule “takes skill out of the game,” echoing a growing sentiment within the fraternity.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower, however, chose not to sit on the fence. Instead, the seasoned Zimbabwean offered a balanced view, outlining both the advantages and drawbacks of the rule.

Speaking on the eve of RCB’s season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Flower said, “It has been a good innovation. It’s interesting to be part of it. You’re making decisions, and sometimes the timing of the impact player is crucial. Tactically, it’s quite an interesting addition to the game.”

At the same time, Flower acknowledged that the rule alters one of cricket’s fundamental challenges — team balance.

“One of the things I love about cricket is that when you select an XI, balancing it is tricky. The Impact Player rule hides that selection problem a little. I think one of the great things about cricket is some of the debates around selection and when you select single-skilled players, you weaken another area of your game, the impact player can hide that, so there are pros and cons I think to it,” he added, underlining how teams can mask weaknesses more easily.

KOHLI FACTOR

This IPL season carries a few unique subplots. For the first time, all 10 captains are Indians. It also marks a transition phase for some of the game’s biggest names, with former India captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now operating as one-format players after stepping away from T20 internationals and Tests.

Asked if he had a chat about it with Kohli, who last featured in a competitive match in the ODI against New Zealand on Jan 18, the 57-year-old said, “We have chatted about that. I enjoy watching masters of their art do their thing. Virat looks on top of his game and super fit. I was watching him do shuttles the other day, he looks light on his feet.”

Beyond fitness, Flower highlighted Kohli’s mindset as a key factor.

“He’s always been very hungry and determined. I think that mental and emotional space that he’s in, where he’s very comfortable with himself as a person and also very hungry to drive himself as a professional sportsperson puts him in a good spot. Watching him time and strike the ball in training, he looks at the peak of his powers,” Flower added.

HAZELWOOD UPDATE

On Australian pacer Josh Hazelwood, who is returning from injuries, Flower stated, “He won’t be ready for tomorrow since he’s just got off the plane. We’ll be monitoring his fitness very closely and are looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL.”