Rahane advocated for the complete removal of the rule.
The Impact Player rule in IPL is something that has divided opinions among the players and coaches over the last few seasons.
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 had openly expressed their reservations over this rule, with the latter claiming that it is holding back the all-rounders.
Recently, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane confirmed that the majority of IPL captains opposed the Impact Player rule at a meeting last year.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane – who has led Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL – advocated for the complete removal of the rule.
“I remember last year, before the IPL captains’ meeting, most of the captains said they don’t want the impact player rule," Rahane said.
“And I think the guidelines or the rules, they have it till 2027. So we don’t know if this year they will take it out or after this year (when) the big auction is coming up, in that they will take it out. But ideally, I feel there is no point or use in having an impact rule," he added.
Rahane emphasized that all-rounders are effectively being driven out of the game, particularly in the IPL. Because teams can seamlessly swap a batter for a bowler (or vice-versa), franchises opt for specialists instead of developing or utilizing versatile all-rounders.
From a national standpoint, Rahane noted that grooming quality all-rounders is vital for India's balance. The rule creates a structural gap in the pipeline, making it harder to find reliable backups for key roles like fast-bowling all-rounders.
“All-rounders are going out of the game, especially in the IPL. And I am a firm believer that you’ve got to develop your all-rounders. From the Indian team’s point of view, all-rounders are really important. So the impact player rule should be taken out," he stated.
Rahane also pointed out that the rule excessively favors batting units. He cited instances where teams struggling heavily at 90/7 or 100/7 managed to recover and post totals of 200 due to the cushion of an extra substituted batter.
Currently, the BCCI guidelines have secured the implementation of the Impact Player rule until the 2027 season. While its immediate future remains locked, Rahane hopes the governing body will permanently abolish it ahead of the next major mega auction before the 2028 season.