On a warm Monday evening, Mahipal Lomror presented Royal Challengers Bengaluru with two intriguing prospects: an ‘Impact Player’ capable of seizing control of the match and a potential successor to Dinesh Karthik, their designated finisher who is concluding his final IPL season.
Mahipal Lomror Clutched the Situation Calmly
Lomror, substituting for Yash Dayal during the pursuit of 177 runs, assumed the role of Impact sub. He swiftly compiled a brisk 17 runs off eight balls and assisted Karthik (28 off 10 balls) in orchestrating a partnership that yielded 47 runs in just 22 deliveries, propelling RCB to a thrilling four-wicket triumph over Punjab Kings.
Yet, Lomror’s inaugural experience as an Impact Player shed light on the peculiar nature of the role, primarily due to its impromptu demands.
“To be honest, it felt quite peculiar when I stepped in to bat as the Impact Player. The nature of the Impact Player rule requires you to be on your toes as you can be called upon at any moment,” remarked Lomror during the post-match press conference.
While acknowledging the unique demands, the 24-year-old revealed that the RCB management had forewarned him about the possibility of being utilized as the substitute player against Punjab.
“As the name implies, you’re expected to make an immediate impact on the game. The management had discussed this with me last night. They informed me: ‘If we’re chasing, we might deploy you lower down the order.’ So mentally, I was prepared,” Lomror added.
RCB’s Impact sub’s hunt end?
During IPL 2023, RCB availed the ‘Impact Player’ option in 12 out of 14 matches, with Anuj Rawat stepping in twice as the No. 8 finisher, mirroring Lomror’s role against PBKS at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. In the remaining 10 instances, it was either a bowler or a top/middle-order batsman who assumed the mantle of Impact Player. However, Rawat’s performances fell short of expectations as he could only muster 16 runs off 27 balls across those two games.
Perhaps, this unsuccessful trial prompted the RCB think tank to entrust the role to the power-hitting Lomror in this IPL season. The Rajasthan-born player, who joined Royal Challengers ahead of IPL 2022 from Rajasthan Royals, was prepared for the challenge as it presented his best opportunity to secure a place in the playing eleven.
“This is the role the team management wants me to focus on. They have been clear about it because we boast a formidable batting lineup, and this is where they see my utility, Previously, I used to bat higher up the order, which allowed me more time at the crease. However, as an Impact sub, I won’t have many deliveries to face. So, whenever I’m practicing in the nets, I concentrate on scoring boundaries right from the outset,”
he remarked.
Mahipal Lomror’s Ruthless Striking Kept RCB Off Pressure
However, refining skills against teammates or local bowlers in the nets differs significantly from the challenges encountered in a real match scenario. Nevertheless, Lomror demonstrated his prowess against established performers such as Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran in a stadium where the pitch offered more grip than usual, complicating shot-making. He quickly altered the equation to 43 runs required off 21 balls, alleviating pressure on Karthik with a boundary off the first ball he faced from left-arm pacer Curran.
Lomror’s performance reached greater heights against Arshdeep. In the 18th over, he unleashed a powerful six over cow-corner on the third delivery, followed by a boundary through backward square leg on the next ball. Starting the over with RCB needing 36 runs from 18 balls, Lomror’s aggressive stroke-play reduced it to a more manageable 24 runs required from 14 balls within just three deliveries. Lomror acknowledged his senior partner Karthik for maintaining composure amidst the escalating run rate, attributing a portion of the success to their partnership.
Read More: IPL 2024: What Went Wrong For Punjab Kings (PBKS) Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)