Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel talked about the Impact Player rule ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season starting on Saturday, March 28. The all-rounder criticized the Impact Player rule for negatively affecting the balance of matches, saying he is not a fan of it.
In 2024, the BCCI introduced the Impact Player rule to allow teams to substitute a specialist batsman or bowler during matches. While replacement has led to more aggressive batting performances in the IPL, it has also reduced the traditional value of genuine all-rounders throughout the tournament.
I don’t like the ‘Impact Player’ rule – Akshar Patel
Recently, during a media interaction, Akshar Patel shared his views on the Impact Player rule. Patel said that IPL franchise managements now prefer to select specialist players rather than investing in genuine all-rounders.
Video | “Rules are rules, but I’m not a fan of impact players,” says spinner Axar Patel.
(Full video available on PTI Video – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/hPzGLezLXV
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) 23 March 2026
“Obviously, I don’t like this rule. Because I am an all-rounder and because of that… (laughs) So you know, in batting and bowling… earlier, it used to be that teams used to pick all-rounders. Because of this rule, I think every team management goes with either a specialist batsman or a specialist bowler… thinking, ‘Why do you need an all-rounder?'” Patel said.
We can only control what is in our hands – Akshar Patel
Akshar Patel said that as an all-rounder he did not like this rule. However, he said that players should accept and abide by it as it is out of their control.
He said, “So I think that’s why… as an all-rounder, I really didn’t like that rule. But at the same time, you know, we can only control what’s in our hands. If there’s a rule, we have to follow it. But from a personal point of view, I didn’t like it.”
Many more to follow…
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