Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off its highest successful chase in the Indian Premier League (IPL), against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in its Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener in Vizag
Just days into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, fans were treated to a nail-biting one-run Delhi Capitals (DC) win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 4 of Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
In a game that clearly looked to go the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) way made an absolute ‘U Turn’ with Delhi Capitals (DC) managing to pull a rabbit out of the hat in the last over in a high-scoring chase (209). This was Delhi Capitals (DC)’s highest successful chase in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL).
The ‘U Turn’ was possible with IPL’s ‘Impact Player Rule’
Earlier for LSG, Nicholas Pooran’s fiery 75 (30) and Mitchell Marsh’s 72 (36) put a great show of power and class and LSG powered their total to 209 runs.During the chase, Delhi Capitals (DC) were down and out at 7 for 3 and then 65 for 5 in their chase of 210 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Visakhapatnam.When Delhi Capitals (DC) was looking at a probable opening game loss, Ashutosh Sharma was brought into the side as an Impact Player.Ashutosh Sharma, scored an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls to guide Delhi Capitals (DC) to a fantastic win from an improbable position.The target looked impossible to achieve.IPL debutant Vipraj Nigam’s 39 off 15 also played a crucial role in DC’s successful chase.
Ashutosh’s sensational knock will be remembered as one of the great IPL finishes.
Even the impossible can be possible And today @DelhiCapitals has proven it.
— SATISH KUMAR NAKRANI (@satish_kumar_43) March 24, 2025
Well done 👍 #DCvLSG pic.twitter.com/WjMYJ3q2Ns
The Impact Player Rule
The Impact Player IPL rule has been much talked about since it was introduced in 2023. Under this rule, a team is allowed to substitute one of its players as and when they deem it fit. For example, after a certain team finishes it bowling innings, it can replace one of the bowlers with a batter. It gives the team extra advantage. However, this impact player substitution is not available in international format. The rule has been criticised by several former player, with some giving the logic that it takes away the surprise factor from a game. Others have said that the rule is hampering the development of good allrounders.
MS Dhoni Slams Impact Player IPL Rule, Gives Blunt Verdict
Former India and CSK captain MS Dhoni is not a big fan of the rule.
“When it first came out, I said one thing that IPL is in such a good position, aur koi masala daalne ki zaroorat nahi hai (there’s no need to spice it up further),” Dhoni said on Jio Hotstar.
“Games were already quite high-scoring, they were going well, the matches were quite competitive. We have seen it often in this format that matches end in five overs — you lose too many wickets, fail to make proper runs and the opposition wins easily”.
“If you lose a few wickets early, more often than not you are out of the game. So, when this rule came, I felt it was not really needed at this point of time because TRP is up, the quality of cricket is good, good players were coming up but it was implemented. In a way, it helps me but it still doesn’t help me because I still do my keeping so I am not an impact player, I have to be involved in the game”.
“Also, some people are saying that because of the impact player rule, games have become high-scoring. I think it is due to conditions. The extra batter gives you comfort. It’s not like because of that extra batter, you have scored a lot.”
Faf du Plessis Supports the Impact Rule
Not all share MS Dhoni’s views, many players did see the rule helping the game be competitive for the full 40 overs.
Delhi Capitals (DC) vice-captain Faf du Plessis also gave his approval to the rule.
That one run from No. 11 which set up the win 🎢https://t.co/O6edbBQdv0 | #DCvLSG #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/TYGc7uLJLl
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 24, 2025
SuperSports Final Verdict
Ashutosh Sharma’s match-winning knock has become the talk of the IPL, but it also ignited fresh criticism around the Impact Player rule—a rule that continues to split opinion across the cricketing world.
At SuperSports, we believe this rule adds strategic depth but may need refinement to balance tradition and innovation.
Will the Impact Player become the future of T20 leagues? Or will traditionalists like MS Dhoni push for its removal in upcoming seasons?
Only time—and match-winning performances like Ashutosh Sharma’s—will reveal the true impact of this rule on the game.
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