2024-04-19 20:14:37
New Delhi: The ‘Impact Player’ rule was implemented from the 2023 season, allowing all IPL teams to replace one player during a match. Experts have argued that this rule undermines the role of an all-rounder. A player like Shivam Dubey has been used only as a power hitter by his franchise Chennai Super Kings. Dubey is also a medium pace bowler and is a contender for the fast bowling all-rounder option in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, but he is hardly getting a chance to showcase his talent with the ball.
Zaheer Khan said in an online conversation organized by ‘Jio Cinema’, ‘I completely agree that this is an issue of debate, there is definitely some concern, but we need to find a way to deal with it. In the Impact Player rule, you will get makeshift all-rounders. Zaheer, who played an important role in India’s title win in the World Cup 2011, believes that Mohammed Siraj should come in the T20 World Cup team along with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. He also feels that left arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh should also be a part of the team.
The 45-year-old former left-arm fast bowler said, ‘Team selection is still two weeks away but Arshdeep is a serious contender and the selectors are keeping an eye on him. Khalil Ahmed, Mohsin Khan and Yash Dayal will also be in focus. Siraj has been performing very well but sometimes it is about the format, but he has been able to make a comeback. I think he should be a part of the T20 World Cup team.
In response to a question about who will play the role of wicketkeeping in the T20 World Cup, Zaheer said, ‘I am happy with his (Rishabh Pant’s) progress. I wasn’t sure how he would perform after such a long break before the IPL, but his progress in the last six-seven matches, his leadership skills and wicket-keeping have been successful in all aspects.