‘Never been a big fan’: AB de Villiers on Impact Player rule | Cricket News

Former South Africa batting great AB de Villiers on Tuesday said that he wasn’t really a fan of the Impact Player rule, saying it was a bit confusing and it puts pressure on the role of allrounders in a team.
“I’ve never been a big fan, to be honest, and I did speak about it at the IPL last season. I feel it’s a bit confusing, it also puts a bit of pressure on the all-rounders and their role in the teams,” de Villiers said in an interaction ahead of third edition of SA20 beginning on January 9.
“From the outside it looks exciting, but actually when the game takes place, I’ve never found it to be… a good thing to have in cricket. So, I mean, you can try it out. And the SA20, they’ve always been open to new ideas and new rules, which I find good,” he added.
Since its inception in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Impact Player rule has come under criticism from a lot of players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“I am not a big fan of Impact sub rule. It is going to hold all rounders back, eventually cricket is played 11 players not 12 players. You are taking out so much from game to make it entertaining for people around,” Rohit had said on the podcast “Club Prairie Fire” last year.

Kohli had also agreed with Rohit saying on JioCinema last year, “I agree with Rohit. Entertainment is one aspect of the game but there is no balance. “Bowlers are feeling like what they should do. I have never experienced anything like it where bowlers think they will concede four or a six on every ball.”

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