Ricky Ponting Opposes Rohit Sharma: In a recent development, Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has weighed in on the controversial ‘Impact Player’ rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that fans should have a significant say in determining the fate of this contentious system. Ponting, who has not been a staunch supporter of the Impact Player rule, responded to the ongoing debate surrounding its implications for the development of Indian all-rounders.
Rohit Sharma’s Reservations Fuel the Discourse
The discussion gained traction after Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma expressed his reservations about the rule in a recent YouTube podcast, stating that he is not a ‘fan of the rule’ due to its potential adverse effects on the growth of Indian all-rounders. Rohit’s remarks have ignited a broader conversation within the cricketing fraternity, with many experts and stakeholders weighing in on the matter.
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Ricky Ponting Opposes Rohit Sharma
Ponting’s stance indicates a willingness to engage with fans and consider their perspectives in shaping the future of the rule within the IPL framework. Addressing the issue, Ponting stated:
“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. 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.”
Prioritizing Fan Engagement and Entertainment
Ponting further explained his point of view, emphasizing the importance of fan engagement and entertainment in shaping the future of the rule:
“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.”
Openness to Reverting to the Old System
However, Ponting also acknowledged the potential need for a change if the Impact Player rule fails to resonate with the spectators:
“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.
David Warner’s Fitness Update
In a separate development, Ponting provided an update on David Warner’s fitness, who sat out the previous match due to a knuckle injury. Warner showcased positive signs of recovery as he resumed batting in the nets and hit some powerful shots, including dispatching balls into the stands during throwdown sessions.
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Ricky Ponting Weighs In on the Contentious ‘Impact Player’ Regulation
According to Ponting:
- Warner is nearly 85 to 90% fit.
- He did a fitness test on game day, in which he got close.
- Warner will have to do a lot of batting today against some fast bowling stuff to make sure that the pain is not there anymore.
Pitch Preparation for DC’s Home Game
Ponting expressed satisfaction with the pitch prepared for the team’s upcoming first home game, stating:
“A lot more grass on the entire square than we used to see here. You know, this is the main reason that we moved away from those couple of games at the back of WPL. We wanted to ensure that the wickets could potentially play a bit better than they have done for us.”
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