CSK star MS Dhoni opens up on ‘Impact Player’ rule, says ‘it really wasn’t…’

“When this rule was implemented, I felt it wasn’t really needed at that time. In a way, it helps me, but at the same time, it doesn’t. I still do my wicketkeeping, so I’m not an impact player. I have to be involved in the game,” Dhoni told JioStar.

Virat Kohli had said last season that while he agrees that it is more entertaining for the crowds to see the big scores, he prefers for there to be more balance between bat and ball. Kohli also said that his unusually high strike rate last season was a direct result of the rule, with the top-order batters getting more freedom to go for big shots due to the presence of an extra batter.

Dhoni, however, said that he disagrees with the notion that scores have gone up because of the rule. “A lot of people say the rule has led to more high-scoring games. I believe it’s more due to the conditions and the comfort level of players. The number of runs being scored isn’t just because of an extra batsman," said Dhoni.