'I'm not a fan': Keiron Pollard joins growing opposition against Impact Player Rule
Kieron Pollard, Mumbai Indians' batting coach, voiced his disapproval of the IPL's Impact Player rule, stating it underutilizes all-rounders' skills and could negatively impact international cricket. His concerns align with other cricketers like Axar Patel and Shubman Gill, who believe the rule makes the game less competitive. Despite widespread criticism, the rule is expected to continue for another season.
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.