NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League’s better use of impact positions has been a key factor in the season’s upturn in the high-octane Twenty20 tournament, which has seen many records fall.
Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday by breaking their own IPL record of 287-3, three weeks after setting the previous mark of 277-3 against Mumbai Indians.
Travis Head led Sunrises Hyderabad’s charge with 39-ball century, fourth fastest in tournament’s 17-season history, while Klaasen hit 67 in 31 balls with seven sixes.
“Impact players make a big difference,” Klaasen said after his side’s 25-run win in Bengaluru.
“It’s good to see our boys hit it well, our bowlers can at least defend 270, which is always a positive sign.”
The impact player rule was introduced last year and allows players to be named in the starting lineup at any time after going down.
As a rule, the team batting first is allowed to field one extra big-hitting batsman in the order, with one bowler replacing them when they are out on the field. Alternatively, if it fails a second time, the bower can be replaced.
