New Delhi: On Wednesday, a majority of the IPL captains expressed their reservations on the Impact Player rule that has seen divided opinions since its introduction back in 2023. In 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had extended the Impact Player in the cash-rich league at least 2027 but despite this, the rule is being debated by the players.

During the IPL Captains Meeting in Mumbai, the the rule was discussed at length by the captains of all the ten franchises. Majority of the IPL 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 further told that it can only be reviewed after the 2027 edition of the cash-rich league and not before that, an IPL source confirmed. Earlier this week, Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel joined the likes of Mumbai Indians veteran Rohit Sharma in criticising the Impact Player rule.

Axar’s take on the rule

‘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.

Meanwhile, back in 2024, Rohit Sharma said that he was not a big fans of this Impact Player rule saying that it troubled the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket. Hardik Pandya also raised his concern in the 2025 season saying that it was difficult to pick an all-rounder in the side unless he was equally good with both bat and ball.

Even foreign players like Glenn Phillips have said that the rule could adversely impact the future of all-rounders. Meanwhile, the BCCI last season allowed teams a one-ball change after the 10th over of the second innings to counter dew. On Wednesday, one captain proposed that teams should be allowed to change the ball after the 10th over of the first innings.

(With PTI inputs)