'I Agree With Rohit...': Virat Kohli Also Unhappy With Impact Player Rule

RCB legend Virat Kohli agreed with former Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma's criticism of the Impact Player rule in Indian Premier League (IPL).

Virat Kohli echoed a point raised by Rohit, asserting that the impact player rule disincentivizes the development of all-rounders.

Source : PTI

Indian cricket team's senior players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have been vocal in their criticism of the 'Impact Player' rule implemented in the Indian Premier League (IPL), last year. Following remarks from Rohit and Bumrah, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legendary batter Virat Kohli has now voiced his disapproval regarding the Impact Player rule in IPL.

Speaking on JioCinema, Virat Kohli agreed with former Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma's criticism of the Impact Player rule in IPL. Kohli highlighted the increased pressure on bowlers, noting that "every ball can go for four or six."

Also on ABP Live | Hardik Pandya Faces One-Match Ban, Will Miss His First Match In IPL 2025

Virat Kohli said: "I agree with Rohit about the Impact Player rule. I have never experienced anything like it where bowlers think they will concede four or a six on every ball. This is high-level cricket; it shouldn’t be too dominated by batsmen. Not every team has a Bumrah or a Rashid. I know Jay Bhai has mentioned that they will be reviewing it?"

Virat echoed a point raised by Rohit, asserting that the impact player rule disincentivizes the development of all-rounders.

Teams often select an all-rounder as the impact player, but these players are primarily used for scoring quick runs, with limited bowling opportunities.

CSK's Shivam Dube, who is in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad as an all-rounder alongside Hardik Pandya, has played every match as an impact player for CSK. Consequently, fans and selectors have rarely seen him bowl in live matches for Chennai. 

When Rohit Sharma openly criticised Impact Player rule in IPL

"I am not a big fan of Impact sub rule. It is going to hold all rounders back, eventually cricket is played by 11 players not 12 players. You are taking out so much from game to make it entertaining for people around. If you look just from the cricketing aspect of it I feel guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren't getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing," Rohit had said on 'Club Prairie Fire' podcast.