Indian Premier League (IPL), without a shadow of a doubt, is the best franchise cricket league in the world. Over the last few years, the Impact Player rule has become one of the most debated rules. Many current players have voiced their concerns.

Former India and Chennai Super Kings star Suresh Raina recently spoke to Aakash Chopra and demanded the discontinuation of the rule. “I am against the Impact Player rule. A lot of fit players bat and then go back and sit down in the dugout. How will the players improve? There is no such rule in global tournaments. I can understand it from the entertainment point of view, but nothing is there for the bowlers,” Raina said.

In IPL 2026, Punjab Kings were able to chase down a 265-run target against Delhi Capitals with relative ease. “170 was considered a pretty competitive total on the board, but now even a target of 250 is being chased with ease. There has to be something for the bowlers. There aren’t any wicket-taking options,” Raina added.

MS Dhonithe former Chennai skipper, according to former batter Subramaniam Badrinath, has said that he won’t play as an impact player next season. Mumbai Indians have been using Rohit Sharma as an impact player.

What other players said about the rule?

Before the start of the last season, DC skipper Axar Patel said that he didn’t like the rule since he was an all-rounder. Axar highlighted that all-rounders were picked in the XI for their batting and bowling, but since the introduction of the Impact Player, the team management settles for a specialist batter or bowler.

Former MI skipper Rohit also voiced his concern in 2024. “It is going to hold back the development of all-rounders. Cricket is played with 11 players, not 12. I am not a big fan of impact players. You are taking so much out of the game to make it a little entertaining for the people around.”