Khan: "No one can stop you"

Zaheer Khan, recently appointed as the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants, has expressed strong support for the Indian Premier League's (IPL) impact player rule, emphasising its positive influence on the development of Indian cricket. Zaheer took on his new role after Gautam Gambhir stepped down in late 2023 to focus on his responsibilities as India's head coach.

During a press conference at the team's headquarters, Zaheer addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the impact player rule, which was introduced in the 2023 IPL season. "There has been a debate around the impact of the sub-rule. I'm going on record to say that I'm all for it," Zaheer stated, underscoring his confidence in the rule's advantages.

The impact player rule has sparked mixed reactions, with prominent figures like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma voicing their concerns. Kohli noted that the rule has disrupted the balance of the game, while Rohit admitted he was "not a big fan" of it. Discussions among IPL team owners and BCCI officials in July also highlighted differing opinions on whether to continue with the rule, along with considerations for a potential mega auction.

Despite these varied perspectives, Zaheer, who previously played for the Mumbai Indians and served as their director of cricket, believes the rule has opened up significant opportunities for young and uncapped Indian players. "It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents. This will become evident in the mega auction when teams start focusing on these players," he said.

Zaheer also emphasised the importance of match experience in the growth of young cricketers. "The time spent in match time, it's something you cannot beat. That's the biggest plus," he remarked.

Addressing concerns about the rule's impact on all-rounders, Zaheer acknowledged that while it might limit opportunities for players who are not fully developed in both batting and bowling, genuine all-rounders would remain highly valuable. "If you are a genuine all-rounder, no one can stop you. There is always going to be value added with your ability to bat and bowl," he added.