In a recent discourse echoing the sentiments shared by India’s captain Rohit Sharma, former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan expressed his reservations about the Indian Premier League’s newly implemented ‘Impact Player’ rule. According to Zaheer, this rule may lead to the rise of “half-baked all-rounders,” which could potentially hurt the overall development of players adept in multiple cricketing disciplines.
Introduced in the 2023 IPL season, the ‘Impact Player’ rule allows teams the flexibility to substitute any player – batter or bowler – during a match. Though intended to add a strategic layer to the game, the rule has been critiqued for diminishing the role of genuine all-rounders. Players such as Shivam Dube, who are proficient both with the bat and ball, have found themselves pigeonholed into specific roles. Dube, identified primarily as a power-hitter with Chennai Super Kings, has seldom been given opportunities to exhibit his skills as a medium pacer, raising concerns about his utilization ahead of selections for higher stakes like the T20 World Cup.
During an online interaction facilitated by JioCinema, Zaheer Khan elaborated on his concerns, stressing the need to reassess how players are deployed under this rule. “It’s a debatable issue, certainly concerning,” Zaheer remarked. “We need to find a way to balance it. With the Impact Player rule, we are only creating half all-rounders, not nurturing complete ones.”
Zaheer, pivotal in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win, also discussed squad selections for the upcoming T20 World Cup, specifically advocating for the inclusion of Mohammed Siraj, alongside veteran Jasprit Bumrah, in the pace attack. Siraj’s recent performances in the IPL have been a mix of highs and lows, with just four wickets from six innings and a strike rate of 33.00, accompanied by an economy rate of 10.41. These numbers have sparked some concern regarding his form, yet Zaheer believes in Siraj’s ability to regain his rhythm.
“The selection is two weeks out, and while Siraj’s IPL stats might not reflect his best, his potential and prior contributions to the team should not be overlooked,” Zaheer added. He also highlighted other prospective candidates like left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and noted that players such as Khaleel Ahmed, Mohsin Khan, and Yash Dayal are under close watch by the selectors.
Turning his attention to the wicketkeeper slot for the T20 World Cup, Zaheer expressed satisfaction with Rishabh Pant’s progress, especially after a considerable break before the IPL. “Pant has shown significant improvement in his leadership, skills, and as a wicketkeeper in the last few matches,” he observed.
Besides player performances and rules, Zaheer touched upon the broader dynamics of franchise cricket. Reflecting on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy of Mumbai Indians, replacing Rohit Sharma, Zaheer noted the challenges and scrutiny that come with leadership changes. “Franchise cricket has evolved remarkably since the inception of IPL. Today, teams and players have developed deep connections with their fans, and the best response to any criticism is always delivered on the field,” Zaheer advised.
As discussions around team compositions and strategies continue, the insights from seasoned professionals like Zaheer Khan provide a valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of T20 cricket, underscoring the delicate balance between new rules and traditional roles within the sport.