Sanjay Manjrekar Warns IPL Impact Player Rule Hinders Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s All-Round Development
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly become a standout performer in the Indian Premier League, delivering aggressive batting displays for the Rajasthan Royals. However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns about the long-term effects of the IPL Impact Player rule on the 15-year-old’s overall cricketing development.
Operating primarily as an Impact Player, Sooryavanshi has concentrated exclusively on his batting. He frequently leaves the field during the defensive innings, a trend Manjrekar argues limits exposure to fielding pressure and game awareness.
IPL Performance Statistics
| Player | Innings | Runs | Age | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 11 | 440 | 15 | Rajasthan Royals |
The Cost of Specialization in the IPL
Speaking on the Sportstar Insight Edge Podcast, Manjrekar explained that evaluating a cricketer solely on batting metrics provides an incomplete picture. He noted that earlier generations of players were assessed on their total contribution to the game.
“I am increasingly feeling that the Impact Player rule should be reconsidered for this reason. Is this all we want to see from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, just one side of his game? A cricketer is someone who bats well and fields well too,” Manjrekar stated.
Core Arguments Against the Rule
- Lack of fielding exposure: Young players miss out on the physical and mental demands of fielding for 20 overs.
- Absence of pressure: Fielders learn resilience by handling dropped catches and tense match situations.
- Incomplete evaluation: Hiding a player in the dugout prevents talent scouts from identifying potential liabilities in the field.
International Readiness and Game Pressure
Manjrekar emphasized that transitioning to international cricket requires multi-dimensional skills. While specialized roles exist in franchise leagues, international setups demand reliability across disciplines.
He referenced players like Inzamam-ul-Haq, noting that fans and analysts respected their batting but also factored in their fielding capabilities to form a complete assessment. Under the current IPL framework, a young batter can face a few deliveries, demonstrate power hitting, and return to the dugout without facing defensive scrutiny.
Manjrekar also pointed to recent ICC tournaments, mentioning that India secured the T20 World Cup despite the domestic reliance on the Impact Player system. Players like Shivam Dube succeeded without bowling, but Manjrekar insists the standard should remain high across all facets of the sport.
“You do not want one of the highest levels of the sport to be that easy,” Manjrekar concluded. “I want to see him on the field, see what happens, and be put under pressure.”