Most IPL captains voiced their concerns about the Impact Player rule on Wednesday, which has caused controversy since it was first implemented in 2023.
The Impact Player in the IPL was extended by the BCCI in 2024 until at least 2027. However, both players and spectators are still debating the strategic rule.
The captains of all ten teams spoke extensively about the subject at the IPL Captains Meeting in Mumbai.
“Majority of the captains gave their inputs on the Impact Player rule and expressed their reservations even though the BCCI has extended the rule till 2027. They were told it can only be reviewed after the 2027 edition and not before that,” PTI quoted an IPL source as saying.
Axar Patel, the captain of the Delhi Capitals, joined Rohit Sharma in criticizing the Impact Player rule earlier this week.
“I don’t like this rule as I am an all-rounder myself. Earlier we used to pick all-rounders for this role (batting and bowling). Now the 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 on Monday in his opening media interaction ahead of IPL 2026.
In 2024, Rohit expressed his disapproval of the Impact Player concept, claiming it hindered the growth of all-rounders in Indian cricket. The following season, Hardik Pandya stated that it was now challenging to select an all-rounder for the team unless he was equally adept with the bat and the ball.
The restriction may have a negative effect on all-rounders’ futures, according to overseas players like Glenn Phillips.
“I do feel like there could be an issue at some stage with all-rounders losing out and not being so prevalent, which then obviously has an impact on international game, international T20s, international one days,” the Blackcaps cricketer had told PTI last season.
In order to combat dew, the BCCI last season permitted teams to switch balls after the tenth over of the second innings. One captain suggested on Wednesday that after the tenth over of the first innings, teams should be permitted to switch the ball.
“Ball change after 10 overs of first innings was proposed but it did not gain a lot of traction. There is heavy dew usually in the second innings and the current rule stands,” said the source.
The IPL administrators were also asked about the training guidelines for the 2026 season by the IPL captains, all of whom are Indians, with Ishan Kishan leading SRH instead of regular captain Pat Cummins.
According to the rules distributed to the teams, practice will not be permitted on game days and “if one of the teams finishes their practice early, the other team is not allowed to use the wickets for their practice.”
“The captains wanted more clarity on the training guidelines and that was provided,” added the source.
