'The captain needs to be flexible' - Saba Karim on BCCI's Impact Player rule in Indian domestic cricket

Former India selector Saba Karim has given his opinion on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s new 'Impact Player' rule in domestic cricket and how and also talked about the interesting scenarios, possibilities, tactics and strategies that will come into play with its implementation. 

According to the new rule, the teams are allowed to make one substitution from their starting XI during the match should they feel it will be helpful to them. However, the new rule is first set to be tested by the national cricket board at state-level cricket.

“I feel it’s quite simple. Although the impact player rule being included in the 11, I think it has more to do with the situation and condition. So, I sincerely feel that will throw up interesting possibilities of which the teams can really do well to take some advantage in a particular game," said Saba Karim while speaking on SPORTS18’s daily sports news show ‘SPORTS OVER THE TOP’.

"You’re talking about strategies, you’re talking about tactics, all that will come into play. And the fact remains that you can bring a substitute by the end of the 14th over. So, the captain needs to be very flexible, they need some more inputs from the coaching staff. So, all that one can see in the coming domestic tournament", he added.

With the growing popularity of the T20 games, the BCCI decided to introduce this unique Impact Player rule to make the contests more intriguing. With the said concept, it would be more beneficial for the substituted players of all teams to actively participate in a match. Meanwhile, it has been learned that the 2023 season of the IPL could see the rule being implemented.