Teams have been batting with greater boldness and fearlessness since the impact player rule was introduced last year, which has resulted in totals that routinely surpass 200.
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This year’s IPL has been exceptionally high scoring, with at least three occasions where totals exceeding 250 have been reached.
“The impact player rule changes things a fair bit. Everyone gets to bat a lot deeper having a batting and a bowling XI,” Starc told the media after KKR defeated Mumbai Indians by 24 runs here on Friday.
“I guess there’s a lot made of that rule and there’s been a lot of high scores, which is the nature of the wickets and the grounds we play on here. Impact player rule has had a fair part to play in that, when you are going to have batters and batting all-rounders come in at Nos 8 or 9, it’s a long batting lineup.
“There’s no fear in the powerplay when all you have to do is clear the infield and score runs. Certainly, there has been some really good batting, don’t get me wrong, it’s not just the rules that play a part there.”
Starc, who took 4/33 in KKR’s victory, stated that the absence of such a restriction in the T20 World Cup may have an effect on the results.
“There’s been some fantastic scoring, some fantastic partnerships and some individual brilliance with the bat. On the flip side, time (will) tell, we got the World Cup coming next month, there’s no impact player rule. Whether that affects the scores, is yet to be seen,” he said.
“It probably will. There’s been talk about balance of team and when you can’t just bring someone in, your all-rounders come back into play, certainly world-class all-rounders that balance the team now.
“Captains (will) have to think a bit tactically too when you have just 11 players. It’s been interesting to experience it first hand in the IPL,” he added.
Despite being purchased for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crores, Starc claimed there was no “price-tag pressure on him” despite being the target of batters’ aggression this season.
“I didn’t set my price tag, so it is what it is,” he said.
The 34-year-old stated that the IPL is a great way to get ready for the T20 World Cup, but he is also focused on helping KKR get closer to their goal of winning the competition and is not looking too far ahead.
“I haven’t really thought too much about it. It’s T20 cricket, it’s not as demanding as Test match cricket. Physically (it is) not a problem and (it is a) fantastic lead-in to play here in the best T20 league in the world,” he said.
“You’re playing some high quality cricket leading into the World Cup, a lot of players at this tournament are going to be at the World Cup. In that regard, it’s a great thing to see and test your skills.
“In terms of length of time, that’s part and parcel of international cricket. My main focus is in two days’ time play in Lucknow, the World Cup is next month. At this moment, it’s (about) trying to help KKR win the tournament.”
(With PTI inputs)