‘You have to raise your benchmark’ - Arun Dhumal reflects on criticism behind impact player rule

The IPL (Indian Premier League) chairman, Arun Dhumal, has recently come forward to talk about the ongoing discussions over the impact player rule in the tournament. Ever since the introduction of the rule in 2023, there have been mixed opinions as various cricketers have talked about it as well. 

Recently, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma came forward to opine that the impact player rule does not help in the development of the all-rounders and makes the game very batter-dominated. 

However, Arun Dhumal came forward to state that the IPL is not the only platform available to players to showcase their talent and that the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) organises many tournaments where a player can flourish.

“Is the responsibility of developing all-rounders (lies) only for this tournament? The BCCI is conducting more than 2,000 cricket matches in a year, where the players get the opportunities to showcase their talent. The Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, U-16, U-19… There are so many tournaments. And if you see, all the best all-rounders are still part of the team. So, you have to raise your benchmark as an all-rounder to be part of the team,” Arun Dhumal told RevSportz.

I can’t understand what this chat is all about: Dhumal

Furthermore, Dhumal expressed his confusion about the chatter around the impact player rule and opined that whether the rule will stay or not is something that will be discussed in the upcoming shareholders’ meeting.

“I can’t understand what this chat is all about. Do they want impact players without any impact, or little impact, or significant impact? You can’t have an impact player making no impact, we will discuss with all the stakeholders (about the rule staying). Will see their feedback and point of views also. And what works best for the tournament, in the interest of the players and franchises, we will do that. In the larger interest of the game, whatever is best for the tournament, we will do that,”  Dhumal said.