New Delhi, April 6 — Delhi Capitals fast bowler Kyle Jamieson on Monday joined a growing chorus of players criticising the IPL’s controversial Impact Player rule, saying it “takes a lot of the skill out of the game” and warning the change could erode the traditional value of all‑rounders. Jamieson made the remarks in a media interaction ahead of Delhi Capitals’ game against Gujarat Titans.
The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023 and currently scheduled to remain in place until 2027, allows teams to substitute a player from a nominated list of five at any point during a match. Critics argue the rule encourages teams to prioritise batting depth and attack throughout all 20 overs, reducing the incentive to develop genuine all‑round skills. “Personally, I’m not a fan of it. I think it takes a lot of the skill out of the game,” Jamieson said.
Jamieson added that players who can bat at No. 9 or 10 now face less pressure to hone real batting technique. “I think if you can bat 9 or 10, you don’t have to have the same sort of batsmanship that you probably once had to have,” he said, suggesting the rule changes how teams construct balance. He also noted that the Impact Player concept is uncommon at the international level and in other major T20 leagues. “You don’t see too many other places around the world or international cricket that have the Impact Player rule. It’s probably for a good reason,” he said.
Picked up by Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2026 season, Jamieson has yet to feature in the playing XI, with teams limited to four overseas players. He acknowledged the frustration but stressed there are other ways to contribute. “Obviously, you want to play. Everyone here wants to be able to find a way to contribute to this team winning games,” he said, adding that players can add value through training, meetings and support around the boundary.
On pitch conditions this season, Jamieson said wickets had been more balanced than he had feared after spending January in India with New Zealand, when surfaces felt like a “bowler’s graveyard.” “We’ve seen a couple of high‑scoring games, but equally there’s been some games where there’s been some help and assistance. So that’s obviously great for us, the bowling,” he said.
Jamieson, who returned from a lengthy injury layoff during the series against South Africa, said his body was now in good shape after “15–16 months uninterrupted” of playing. He said he had identified and fixed the root causes of his niggling injuries and was looking forward to the coming months with the Capitals.
Reflecting on the evolving demands of T20 cricket, Jamieson warned against abandoning core strengths to chase innovation. “The game has moved forward a lot, especially from a batting perspective. Scores are getting higher and powerplays are often the easiest time to score now,” he said. “The key is not to move away from your strengths. You can get caught trying to do too much, which plays into the batter’s hands. You’re trying to mix pace, bounce and movement, and structure your overs so batters can’t predict what’s coming.” (PTI)
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/04/07/impact-player-rule-takes-a-lot-of-the-skill-out-of-game-jamieson/
Category: SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2026-04-07 06:30:00
