For the past few years, there have been debates on whether the Orange Cap is the right judge of a batter’s contribution to a team. In IPL 2023, this discussion has further increased because of the new Impact Player rule. On that note, here, we take a look as former cricketer AB de Villiers says Orange Cap should also consider Strike Rate and not just runs.
Former cricketers feel Orange Cap must consider strike rate
Recently, Tom Moody put out a Tweet expressing his views that strike-rate should somehow be incorporated when Orange Cap is awarded to a batter. To this, IPL legend AB de Villiers replied and echoed the Aussie’s views. Here is what the former RCB player said:
Been saying this for ages. No brainer. It’s a comp between 1,2 and possible/rarely number 3 batters
Advertisement— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) April 11, 2023
Nowadays, the strike rate is an important parameter in T20 cricket. It has always been an important variable but it is only in recent times that many are realizing its importance of the same. If strike rate is somehow brought into the formula to decide the Orange Cap, we could, as well, have an overall entertaining game on display.
It is high time that the approach changes for a few batters
In the modern era of T20 cricket, even one dot ball is gold dust for the bowling team. Hence, batters have to be careful in ensuring that they make the most out of the deliveries they get to face. Yes, a batter’s struggle and the pitch dynamics are an important part of the game but a few batters have been taking this too far.
With the ‘Impact Player’ rule, teams now will have a long batting order. Therefore, there will not be much pressure in taking risks for a batter because there is less fear of a collapse. In this context, it is necessary that some cricketers take the onus and re-invent their game to serve their respective teams better.
