• Source:JND

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has called for the IPL's Impact Player rule to be removed, saying it has tilted the game too heavily in favour of batters. He also suggested a few changes that he believes could help restore the balance between bat and ball in the tournament.

What is the impact player rule?

The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, allows teams to replace a player from their starting XI with one of five substitutes at any stage of the match.

Why is Tendulkar against the Impact player rule?

While the rule was brought in to add more tactical options, Tendulkar feels it has made batting line-ups even stronger in a format that already favours batters.

"I feel there are a few things which, on a personal note that I can say, I think the impact player needs to go away," Tendulkar said at the ESPNcricinfo awards.

"I feel when in a T20 format you just have to play 20 overs, and then you are adding one more batter to that line-up. Where bowlers are already being challenged, I find that imbalance."

The IPL has witnessed a lot of high-scoring thrillers, with batting-friendly pitches often producing massive totals. Tendulkar believes the Impact Player rule has only widened the gap between batters and bowlers.

Sachin's take on the Impact Player rule came after India captain Shubman Gill and former skipper Rohit Sharma. Both have previously questioned the rule, arguing that it reduces the importance of all-rounders and takes away some of the tactical skill from the game.

ALSO READ: Shubman Gill Breaks Silence on India T20I Return Ahead Of IPL 2026 Final Between RCB And GT

Sachin Tendulkar proposed a change to the powerplay system

Apart from scrapping the rule, Tendulkar also proposed a change to the powerplay system. He suggested that while the first four overs should continue with the existing field restrictions, the remaining two powerplay overs could be used later in the innings at the discretion of the fielding captain.

"(In) the powerplay of six overs with field restrictions, only two fielders are allowed outside the ring. Let the first four overs be batters' powerplay with the same field restrictions.

"Post that, the remaining two powerplay overs should be determined by the fielding captain as and when he wants to take. Those two consecutive overs will also get one fielder extra outside the ring at any stage of the game," Tendulkar said.

"So you (the fielding side) are able to control the game better."

Tendulkar also wants teams to have the option of using one bowler for five overs

Tendulkar also wants teams to have the option to use one bowler for five overs, rather than the current limit of four. He believes this would allow the best bowlers to have a greater impact on the game and create a fairer contest against top-order batters.

ALSO READ: IPL 2026 Final: R Ashwin Explains Why Virat Kohli Will Be RCB's Biggest Match-Winner Against GT

"One bowler should be allowed to bowl five overs. Because invariably, the best bowler of the side is going to bowl that fifth over.

"Wouldn't you want to see that best bowler bowl more? The top batters are batting sometimes even 20 overs. Why shouldn't the best bowler be bowling five overs?" he asked.


Also In News