'Extra batter making the game more one-dimensional' – Gill on impact sub rule

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has echoed recent criticism of the IPL's Impact Player rule, stating it "takes the skill out of the game."

"Personally for me, I don't think there should be an Impact Player," Gill said in a press conference.

The rule, introduced in IPL 2023, allows teams to field an extra specialist batter. Gill believes this has made the sport more predictable and less challenging.

"Cricket in general is an 11-player game… adding an extra batsman, I think it takes the skill out of the game. With that one extra player, it is making the game more one dimensional. Chasing 180 or 160 on a challenging wicket is for me more exciting than chasing 220 on a flat track."

While the rule has fueled expectations of teams scoring 300, Gill emphasized his team's focus is on winning, not just posting huge totals.

"At the end of the day, you have to score more runs than the other team. Whether it's by four runs or 150-200 runs, the goal is to win. We are not chasing the glory of scoring 300-350 in a single match. We want to be a team that consistently scores big runs and achieves the par target for that wicket. We want to win matches in different conditions."

On a personal note, Gill, one of the IPL's most consistent run-scorers in recent years, said he has nothing to prove this season.

"I think if you look at the past three or four seasons, I think I have the most runs in the IPL. So I don't think I have anything to prove this season particularly. I think I need to do what I have been doing for the past four years."

Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions, begin their 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings on March 31.