Zaheer Khan dares to disagree with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma; supports controversial Impact Player rule

India National Cricket Team bowling great Zaheer Khan has opposed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as he shared his honest views on the highly-debated Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Calls have been made for the removal of the Impact Player rule from the Indian Premier League (IPL) as many experts have felt that it is unfair for bowlers and holds back the development of the all-rounders in Indian cricket.

The likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also not the fans of the Impact Player rule and they have voiced their concerns about it. The current India captain said that the addition of the 12th player doesn't allow the likes of Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar to bowl in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is not good for Indian cricket.

Kohli, on the other hand, said that the implementation of the Impact Player rule has led to the bowlers getting thrashed and it has taken away the balance between the bat and ball.

Howver, all the cricketers and experts are not fully against the rule as the likes of Aakash Chopra and Ravichandran Ashwin have openly backed it and suggested the BCCI to not remove it.

The latest expert to share his views on the matter is the newly-appointed mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, Zaheer Khan. In an interaction with the media just after officially being named the mentor of the franchise, Zaheer Khan said that he likes the rule as it gives opportunities to the uncapped players to showcase their talent on the grand stage.

“I’m going on record to say that I’m for it,” said Zaheer at a press conference in Kolkata. “It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents. That is something you will see in the mega auction, when teams will be looking at them. That opportunity goes a long way with improving Indian cricket on the whole. The time spent in matches, it’s something you cannot beat. That’s the biggest plus.”

As far as all-rounders are concerned, right now, there is no space for a half (half-baked) all-rounder - Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan further shared his blunt opinions, saying that the Impact Player rule doesn't have a negative impact on the genuine all-rounders. He added that the half-backed all-rounders are the ones making space for the Impact substitutes in the XI but the proper all-rounders are still contributing well in every department.

“As far as all-rounders are concerned, right now, there is no space for a half (half-baked) all-rounder because of the impact sub. But if you are a genuine all-rounder, no one can stop you. There is always going to be a value addition with the ability with bat and ball.”.

Meanwhile, Zaheer Khan has replaced Gautam Gambhir as the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants. He will also oversee the scouting and talent development programme at the franchise from now on.