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 cricketer Suresh Raina joined the bandwagon of critics, arguing that bowlers have been hard done by the Impact Player rule in the IPL.
“I am against the Impact player rule. A lot of fit players also bat and just sit down. How will you improve? There is no such rule in the World Cup. I understand the entertainment factor, but there is nothing left for the bowlers. Earlier, 170 was a competitive score, but now 250 is being chased as well. Even 300 is being scored," Raina told Aakash Chopra while speaking on the latter’s YouTube channel.
"Leave something for the bowlers. There is no wicket-taking option. The batters don't get out, and with extra batters, there will be pressure on the bowlers,” he added.
It is worth noting here that the BCCI recently sought feedback from all 10 IPL franchises to decide whether the much-debated rule will remain unchanged, be modified, or be scrapped entirely ahead of the 2027 season. No final decision has been announced, and the rule remains in place for now.
During the interaction, Raina also supported the BCCI's current policy, which restricts active, contracted Indian players from participating in overseas tournaments like the Big Bash League (BBL), The Hundred, or the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to maintain the exclusivity and high standards of the IPL.
“I feel Indian players should not be allowed now. Our league has become very big. When we used to go on Australia and England tours before, I used to ask this. I had come close to playing as well, but then they said no," Raina stated.
"Now, a lot of outside players come here, and the quality of foreign leagues has also gone down. Back then, I would have definitely said yes. But at this time, we are ruling the world. Cricket is going somewhere else, and our team is very solid,” he remarked.
