RCB Bold Diaries: Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar express their opinion on the new rules in IPL 2023

In less than a week’s time, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will be taking the yard for the upcoming edition of the IPL and as things stand, the players will have to get acclimatized to a crucial rule change that will involve the naming of the XI after the toss and the impact player according to the match conditions.

In the latest episode of RCB Bold Diaries, Mike Hesson, Director of Cricket Operations and Sanjay Bangar, the head coach, simplified the new rule for the fans and the players.

Mike Hesson said, “We have all heard about the impact player before the auction. We looked at it and thought about how we can maximize it. Ideally, it has the potential for an all-rounder to deliver big-time. There was actually some strategy involved. I thought that it brought in a little bit of intrigue. You could actually introduce the player at any time, whether a veteran has been dismissed or not.”

Talking about the announcement of the teams after the toss, Hesson said, “I think that it is pretty much a negative impact on the rule. It is pretty much now a substitute rule. You name a team at the toss with a batting XI which will obviously be stronger. And then if you bat first, you swap out a batter and bring an extra bowler and vice versa, the other way around. After the toss, you give them your batting XI and your bowling XI. So it remains as an impact rule and not a substitute rule.”

RCB’s head coach, Sanjay Bangar said, “I believe it is pretty much going to be 12 playing 12. It will allow the teams to occupy their batting slots or their bowling slots. It is going to be slightly tougher for players who want to contribute in both departments, who are capable of playing in both departments, especially lower down the order at number seven. Their spaces may not be utilized that much, but their role may go to a specialized batter or a specialized bowler.”