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The Impact Player rule remains a burning topic amid the ongoing IPL 2026 season. Some say that this rule is beneficial for the Indian Premier League, while some say that it is detrimental to Indian cricket as a whole.
Despite the debate, the rule is in effect, and teams in the league are using it, as it allows franchises to use an extra batsman or bowler according to match conditions. In an exclusive interview with RevSportz, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal addressed the topic of Impact Player and revealed the officials’ thinking and learnings in this regard.
Impact Player rule has made the game more competitive: Arun Dhumal
Arun Dhumal said that the debates in the media have been mostly limited, as he has not received any negative feedback. Contrary to the controversy, he claimed that broadcasters appreciated the rule as it makes IPL matches more competitive.
“These debates keep happening in the media. We have not received any such response. As far as we understand, it has made the game more competitive. Broadcasters have also appreciated this rule,” the IPL chairman told RevSportz in an interview.
Should IPL remove the controversial rule?
Should IPL remove the rule? In response to this, Dhumal said that there is no harm in reviewing it. But, they are not considering changing or removing it, as they have not received any negative comments regarding the Impact Player rule.
He said, “Not necessarily. But if it needs to be reviewed… Actually, there is no harm in reviewing anything. Reviewing does not mean changing it. We have not heard any negative comments regarding the Impact Player rule. But if any such comments come to us, we can always review things in the interest of the game and the tournament.”
In the past, there were many active and former cricketers and cricket experts who commented against the impact player rule in the league. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also among the active players going against the rules.
Using the rule, teams often prefer to include a regular batsman or a regular bowler in their playing combinations depending on the match situation. Because of this rule, a part of cricket experts are worried about the future of all-rounders.
“I generally think it will stop [development of allrounders] Because ultimately cricket is played by 11 players, not 12 players,” Rohit said on the Club Prairie Podcast in April, 2024.
“I’m not a big fan of impressive players. You are taking a lot out of the game to make it a bit of entertainment for the people around. But if you really look at the cricket aspect of it… I can give you many examples – guys like Washington Sundar, Shivam Dubey are not getting a chance to bowl, which is for us. [India team] This is not a good thing,” he said in the discussion.
“I agree with him [Rohit]; I say it like it is. If you watch this IPL, it’s okay, it’s entertainment. [on] On one hand, but the bowlers are feeling what they should do [to restrict the batters]“Virat Kohli told Jio Cinema in the same year.
“I’ve never experienced anything where bowlers think they’re going to hit a four or a six every ball. It’s a very high level of cricket, and in my opinion, it shouldn’t be that impressive [in one aspect]. It is a beauty to have an equal battle between bat and ball,” he added.
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