Axar argued that the Impact Player rule is hampering the development of all-rounders.
Under this rule, each team can name as many as four substitute players along with their playing XI at the toss. One of them can replace a member from the original XI during the match and the player will be called Impact Player.
In the past, the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have openly expressed their reservations over this rule, with the latter claiming that it is holding back the all-rounders. However, the BCCI has confirmed that the regulation will remain part of the IPL playing conditions until at least 2027.
On Monday (March 23), Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel joined the bandwagon of critics, arguing that the Impact Player rule devalues the role of all-rounders and makes the game "difficult" for them.
"I don't like this rule as I am all-rounder myself (laughs). Earlier we used to pick all-rounder for this role (batting and bowling). Now team management goes with a particular batter or bowler, they say why do we need an all-rounder? Being an all-rounder myself I don't like it but at the same time rules are rules. We have to follow them. But personally I don't like it," said Axar while responding to a PTI query seeking his views on the rule.
Axar clarified that his reduced bowling workload in IPL 2025 (204 balls) compared to the 2024 season (264 balls) was caused by a finger injury, not the Impact Player rule.
"I did not bowl a lot. It wasn't because of Impact Player. After the Champions Trophy, my spinning finger got cut. After that it got worse because of the seam of the ball. Later, it developed into a deep cut, I was not able to apply pressure and rotation on the ball.
"That is why I was bowling only when required and nursing my finger. After seven games, it became better and I bowled frequently," said Axar, who will lead DC for the second successive season.
Team India have achieved unprecedented success in recent ICC white-ball tournaments, winning 30 of their last 32 completed matches. This incredible run highlights their status as a leading force in world cricket.
The Men in Blue have also made 4 consecutive global tournament finals, winning three and losing one. The triumphs include two T20 World Cup titles and a Champions Trophy.
India’s achievements have led to comparisons with the dominant Australian teams of the 2000s, but Axar Patel doesn't believe in comparing teams across different eras.
"It all started post 2022, we started playing this brand of cricket and took some tough calls. If this Indian team wants to dominate, we have to continue playing a fearless brand of cricket, change as per the requirement of the game at that time.
"I don't believe in the tag of the greatest T20 team ever. It is all about time and era. If a team's combination is set, they can do wonders," he remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)