Kohli believes rule about impactful players has changed game balance.

Bengaluru has been buzzing with discussions about a controversial rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with both India captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli expressing their concerns. The rule in question is the Impact Player substitution, which was introduced in the previous edition of the IPL and has caused quite a stir in the cricket world.

In a recent podcast, Rohit Sharma shared his disapproval of the rule, and now Virat Kohli has also joined in, calling for a rethink. "I agree with Rohit. While entertainment is important, it shouldn't come at the cost of disrupting the balance of the game," Kohli said during an interview with Jio Cinema.

The Impact Player rule allows teams to make a substitution in the middle of the innings, which has been a cause of worry for many, including Kohli. "It's not just me, a lot of people feel that this rule has disrupted the balance of the game," he added. In his podcast, Rohit had expressed concerns about the rule favoring batsmen and hindering the role of all-rounders in the team. "Cricket is a game played by 11 players, not 12," he had said.

The ongoing edition of the IPL has already witnessed some high-scoring matches, with Punjab Kings setting a new record for the highest successful chase in T20 history, and Sunrisers Hyderabad scoring the highest-ever total in franchise cricket. Kohli acknowledged the bowlers' difficulties in such high-scoring games, saying, "Bowlers are feeling the pressure, not knowing what to do. I have never experienced anything like this before where bowlers are expecting to concede four or six runs on every ball."

Kohli, who has been in excellent form this season, also highlighted the impact of the Impact Player rule on his batting. "I have been playing with a strike rate of over 200 in the powerplay because I know there is a batsman waiting at number 8 as well," he said. He stressed the need for a balance between bat and ball in the game, saying, "There is a beauty in having an equal balance between bat and ball."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has defended the rule, saying it was implemented to give more opportunities to Indian players. However, they have also indicated that they will review the rule in the future. "I am sure Jay bhai (BCCI secretary Jay Shah) has mentioned that they will review it and come to a conclusion that brings the game into balance," Kohli said, expressing his hope for a more exciting and competitive game.

As a batsman, Kohli admits that the rule may seem beneficial, but he believes that the true essence of cricket lies in a game where both batting and bowling are equally important. "Only fours and sixes are not what makes cricket exciting. It's also about being able to defend a total of 160 runs. That's what makes it a thrilling game," he said.

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