Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed strong support for the Impact Player rule in the IPL, arguing that it adds a strategic dimension to the game that would be lost if the rule were removed.
The Impact Player rule has faced criticism from various quarters, including Rohit Sharma, who is not a "big fan" of the rule. One of the main criticisms is that it hinders the development of all-rounders, as teams can rely on an additional batter, leading to higher scores.
Ashwin, however, sees it differently. "The Impact Player rule adds more value to strategy," Ashwin said on Kris Srikkanth's YouTube show, *Cheeky Cheeka*. "While some argue it discourages all-rounders, that’s not entirely true. In today’s generation, players don’t regularly both bat and bowl, and it’s not because of the Impact Player rule. Look at Venkatesh Iyer, who’s currently excelling for Lancashire. There’s room for innovation, and it makes the game fairer."
Ashwin highlighted a specific example from IPL 2024's Qualifier 2 to support his point. "Sunrisers Hyderabad brought in Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player against Rajasthan Royals, after setting a target of 176. Ahmed ended up being the match-winner with figures of 3 for 23."
Ashwin also noted that the rule provides a counterbalance in conditions where dew can make games one-sided. "When dew favours the team batting second, the bowling side can use the Impact Player rule to bring in an extra bowler. Conversely, a team chasing can swap out a bowler for a batter. This leads to tighter games and gives more players a chance to play."
He also pointed out that the rule has helped several players rise through the ranks, with some even making it to the national team. "Players like Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, and Dhruv Jurel have benefited from the Impact Player rule. Without it, Dhruv Jurel might not have had the opportunity to showcase his talent. While it’s not the only path for player development, it has been effective."
Regarding the upcoming mega auction, Ashwin voiced his opinion against reintroducing the Right to Match (RTM) card in its current form. The RTM has not been used since 2018, but it is under consideration for the next auction.
Ashwin believes that the RTM card should only be used if the player agrees to it. "If a franchise releases a player because they don’t see him in their top four or five, they shouldn’t have the right to reclaim him during the auction. Instead, the player should be asked if he wants to be RTMed, with a contract specifying that the RTM can only be used if the bid reaches a predetermined amount, decided by the player."