‘Impacts all-rounders but has given better games, tighter finishes’ – Moeen Ali on Impact Player rule in IPL | Exclusive

Moeen Ali has said that the Impact Player rule is “great" despite its detrimental impact on the growth of all-rounders.

First trialled in the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Impact Player enables teams to bring in, at any point in a match, a 12th player at the expense of a team member named in the original XI at the toss. The provision was introduced with the intention to give more Indian players, especially uncapped, a chance to gain exposure and playing opportunities.

The rule was formally adopted by the Indian Premier League in the 2023 season, and divided opinions almost immediately, with one section liking it owing to the tactical dimension it added to the game, while another labelling it adverse for the growth of all-rounders as teams began to prefer specialists over all-rounders.

Moeen agreed with both viewpoints, admitting that the rule does hurt the all-rounders, whether Indian or overseas. However, an all-rounder himself, Moeen alluded that the rule has ensured “tighter finishes” and provided “better games”.

“Yes, I think that's the only issue with the impact [player] rule,” Moeen said at the launch of Mr Cricket UAE in Dubai. “I think it's a great rule. I think you have better games generally, tighter finishes, but I think it impacts all-rounders, not just overseas all-rounders, but mainly actually Indian all-rounders. I think it's a bit of an impact for them, but it's fine. I think it's a good thing.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has been one of the most high-profile voices in favour of the rule.

"The Impact Player [rule] is good. You have to evolve with the times," Shastri had told R Ashwin on his YouTube channel. "You know, it happens in other sports as well. It's got tighter finishes. You have to evolve with the times, and I think it's a good rule. You saw the number of tight finishes we had in last year's IPL. So, you know, it has made a big difference.

"You know when any new rule comes in, there will be…people will try and justify why that's not right," Shastri said. "But in time, when you see the scores - 200 and 190 - and then, like you mentioned, individuals grabbing that opportunity and making the most of it, people will start re-looking at how they think about it."

Amongst the prominent names who have been against the rule are former India skipper Rohit Sharma, who admitted that he is “not a fan,” while Virat Kohli and Mitchell Starc have also echoed similar sentiments in the past.