IPL 2024: 'You have to evolve' - Ravi Shastri bats for Impact Player Rule in IPL amid Criticisms

The new Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) sparked quite a debate among players and coaches alike.

Yet, it finds a notable supporter in Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of India, who backs the change, suggesting it brings a fresh dynamic to the game. This rule, which allows teams to make a strategic substitution, was first tested at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament before its adoption in the IPL 2023 season.

Despite the criticism from several high-profile cricketers like Rohit Sharma, who fears it might stifle the growth of all-rounders, and others such as Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar, and Mitchell Starc, Shastri advises patience and openness to evolution in cricket.

"The Impact Player [rule] is good. You have to evolve with the times. You know, it happens in other sports as well. It's got tighter finishes. You have to evolve with the times and I think it's a good rule. You saw the number of tight finishes we had in last year's IPL. So, you know, it has made a big difference," Ravi Shastri said to Kutty Stories with Ravichandran Ashwin.

"You know when any new rule comes in, people will try and justify why that's not right. But in time when you see the scores - 200 and 190 - and then like you mentioned individuals grabbing that opportunity and making the most of it, people will start re-looking at how they think about it," he added.

He pointed to the thrilling finishes in the last IPL season as evidence of the rule's positive impact. His thoughts were shared during a conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, emphasizing the importance of adapting over time and the exciting outcomes that have resulted.

Shastri's endorsement comes amidst ongoing discussions about the future of this rule. BCCI secretary Jay Shah noted that its permanence is not assured, indicating that a decision regarding its application in future IPL editions will be made after consulting stakeholders and considering the outcomes of next month's 2024 T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the South African T20 league, SA20, is contemplating the inclusion of the Impact Player rule in its 2025 edition, inspired by its implementation in IPL 2024. BCCI secretary Jay Shah hasn't yet confirmed whether the Impact Player Rule will persist next year or not, but the voice behind commentators is beside the new innovation.