Mike Hesson, Director of Cricket Operations of Royal Challengers Bangalore, has explained why he is against the impact player rule in the IPL 2023.
Hesson believes that the new development has pushed local all-rounders out of the game, making it difficult to prepare them for their role.
Experts and cricketers have given the impact player rule mixed evaluations, with opinions divided into its advantages and downsides. A few IPL 2023 captains have found it puzzling. Dwayne Bravo, bowling coach of the Chennai Super Kings, stated that it depends on how any team utilises it.
The former New Zealand head coach was unimpressed with the impact player rule. However, Hesson pointed out that the rule has contributed to many close games. Hesson stated:
Personally, I’m not a big fan of it. I think that it takes the Indian allrounders out of the game, which a lot of our squad have spent time working on. I wouldn’t say I’m a traditionalist, but I think there needs to be a good reason for change. If you’re trying to develop allrounders, some of them don’t start as batting at No. 5 and bowling four overs – you have to transition them into that role. I think this has made that a little bit harder.”
“Looking at the positive side of it, I think it’s made a heck of a lot of close finishes because the game’s never over. If you got three wickets in the powerplay previously, you could squeeze the middle. Now, they keep going hard at you.”
When asked if Wanindu Hasaranga would get a batting promotion, Hesson indicated the Sri Lankan is quite flexible, which means he will be used in a variety of situations:
“Absolutely. The beauty of Wani is that he’s versatile in how he plays. I think the Impact rule has probably meant that all sides are playing an extra batter, so that’s probably limited his opportunities so far.”
“But that doesn’t mean that, in different parts of the tournament, we won’t be very confident to throw him in and get him to take on not only spin but pace as well once he’s set.”
Hasaranga has played 12 IPL innings and has a strike rate of 89.66. His overall T20 strike rate of 136.79 is decent.
“Wanindu Hasaranga was exceptional against RR”: Mike Hesson
Hasaranga, who has six wickets in five games, was praised by Hesson for quickly adjusting to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, given how inhospitable the stadium is for spinners. He went on to say:
“I thought he was exceptional against RR. Chinnaswamy, for spinners, is an incredibly tough place to bowl. It took Yuzi a little while, and now he’s a genius at it, but it’s a tough place to bowl for any spinner.”
“Any bowler has to learn to adapt to distinctly different conditions: altitude, small boundaries, mishits going for six, you’ve got to find a way of having some more defensive skills, and I thought he was very good.”
On Monday, May 1, RCB will play against the Lucknow Super Giants.