Ricky Ponting Makes Huge Statement on Impact Player: 'Not Ideal for Coaches But Fans Have Last Say'

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting isn’t in favour of the Impact Player rule in Indian Premier League (IPL) , as it might be hampering the growth of all-rounders but on Friday said that fans should be able to decide on the future of this contentious system.

Ponting has never been a strong advocate of the Impact Player and the debate gained momentum after Rohit Sharma in a recent YouTube podcast said that he is not a “fan of the rule” as it hurts development of Indian all-rounders.

“Look, I think, I read some really, really interesting answers from Rohit Sharma on this yesterday. This Impact Player is taking the all-rounders out of the game a little bit,” Ponting said ahead of DC’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Saturday.

“You know you can play your specialist batsman down till No. 8. pretty much. But look, I think for a coach and for the players, it’s probably not ideal, but I think you know a lot of what this game tries to do is to entertain people,” Ponting explained his point of view.

“The T20 game is an entertainment package and it’s probably better asking the spectator what they think about the impact player, because if everyone is loving the fact that teams are making, you know, 220 up to 250 in a lot of the games, and the spectators like seeing it, then it should stay.

“But if the spectators aren’t liking it as much, then there’s no reason why I couldn’t go back to the old,” he added.

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DC’s opponents for the next game, Sunrisers Hyderabad have broken the highest total record twice this season. Speaking about the match-up against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ponting said, “We don’t mind having a shootout tomorrow if it’s a high-scoring game, so be it.”

“We know and expect that they’re going to play the way they’ve played so far in the tournament which has been going hard at the top of the order with the bat, and trying to post a big first innings total. So, we’re happy to try and match them in that. We think we’ve got as good a batting line-up if not better batting line-up than theirs.”

(With inputs from Agencies)