'I'm not a fan': Keiron Pollard joins growing opposition against Impact Player Rule

The debate around the Impact Player rule in the IPL continues to gather momentum, with Kieron Pollard adding his voice to the growing criticism. Pollard, currently serving as Mumbai Indians’ batting coach, made his stance clear, admitting "If you ask me personally whether I like it or not, I can say straight away: I'm not a fan."

The former MI all-rounder, who has been associated with the IPL since the 2010 season in various capacities, felt the Impact Player option leaves the skills of allrounders under-utilised, which in turn might have an impact on the international teams. He pointed out that the rule allows teams to substitute players based on match situations, which often sidelines the role of all-rounders. According to Pollard, this shift could have a ripple effect on international cricket, where such flexibility doesn’t exist.

"In terms of getting rid of it, that's beyond my pay grade, per se. But as I said, it has definitely pushed up scores in T20 cricket. Has it had the same impact in international cricket? I haven't really looked into that in detail, because it's a different dynamic - if you lose a couple of wickets in a league game, you still have the cushion to consolidate, so the powers that be need to assess whether it's actually good for the game, good for television, or simply beneficial for individuals. With the Impact Player rule, there are certain skill sets that may not be fully utilised in international cricket. Hopefully, they will review whether it's truly beneficial. If not - and if the rules remain - you just have to get on with it." Pollard said as per Cricbuzz.

Pollard’s concerns echo sentiments expressed by several top cricketers. Axar Patel has openly stated that the rule undermines the importance of all-rounders, as teams now prefer specialists instead. Shubman Gill, too, has criticised the concept, arguing that it makes the game more one-dimensional and less competitive, particularly in run chases.

Senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni have also voiced reservations about the rule at different times.

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Introduced in 2023, the Impact Player rule has undeniably contributed to higher scores and more aggressive gameplay in the IPL. However, despite the criticism, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and IPL authorities have indicated that the rule will remain in place for at least another season, following recent discussions with team managements.