IPL 2023: Venkatesh Iyer Opines on Use of Impact Player in the Tournament

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer said that the introduction of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 has reduced the utility of all-rounders. Iyer also expressed that with the rule in place, teams would certainly prefer a specialist sixth bowling option as a substitute instead of giving overs to an all-rounder as well.

However, as per the Impact Player rule, both teams can announce five players as substitutes prior to the game and they can utilize the services of one of them during the course of the match as well. And, this option has proved to be a big hit among franchises as well. Meanwhile, Iyer, who has also been utilized as an Impact Player by KKR, added that the introduction of the rule has widely changed the dynamics of the IPL.

While speaking at a press conference ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Delhi Capitals (DC), he commented: “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.”

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The youngster, however, agreed that the rule is here to stay, claiming that Impact Players are turning out to be X factors. He said: “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 that 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.”

While coming in as the Impact Player against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad, Venkatesh Iyer smashed 83 off 40 balls as KKR went on to chase 205 off the last ball as well. Having recovered from an ankle injury, Iyer added that he is ready to bowl, further adding that he has even received clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as well. However, he became only the second KKR batter to score a century in the IPL when he smacked 104 off 51 balls against Mumbai Indians (MI) as well.

“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,” Venkatesh Iyer concluded.