The Impact Player rule in the IPL hasn't gone down too well with some current players and coaches. But former India coach Ravi Shastri and senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin are in favour of it, saying it has contributed to a number of close finishes, particularly this season while also giving individuals the scope of making the most of opportunities.

"The Impact Player (rule) is good. You have to evolve with the times," Shastri told Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

"You know, it happens in other sports as well. It has led to tighter finishes. As I said, you have to evolve with the times and I think it's a good rule. You saw the number of tight finishes we had in last year's IPL. So, it has made a big difference."

Ashwin cited the example of keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who began his IPL career as an Impact Player in IPL 2023 and went onto make his Test debut for India within a year during the home Test series versus England. "We have seen Dhruv Jurel. He began his IPL career as an Impact Player last year and then after some months, he gets to represent India at the international stage.

"So, it (Impact Player rule) does provide a player with a chance to utilise the opportunities, which could then fetch him something bigger going forward," Ashwin said.

Shastri further said: "You know when any new rule comes in, there will be people to try and justify why that's not right. But in time when you see the scores of 200 and 190-plus and then, like you mentioned individuals grabbing that opportunity and making the most of it, people will start re-looking at how they think about it."