Batting great Sachin Tendulkar has called for the Indian Premier League’s controversial Impact Player rule to be scrapped, arguing that it has further tilted the balance in favour of batters in an already high-scoring era of T20 cricket.
Speaking at the ESPNcricinfo Awards, Tendulkar said the rule, introduced in 2023, has created an imbalance by allowing teams to effectively field an extra batter in a format that already favours aggressive strokeplay.
The Impact Player rule allows franchises to replace a member of their playing XI with one of five nominated substitutes at any stage of the match.
While the rule has added a tactical dimension to the IPL, it has also faced criticism from players and experts who believe it reduces the importance of all-rounders and limits opportunities for bowlers to influence matches.
“I feel there are a few things which, on a personal note, I can say. I think the Impact Player needs to go away,” Tendulkar said.
“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.”
His comments come amid growing concern over the number of massive totals being posted in the IPL, with batting-friendly pitches and evolving T20 strategies making life increasingly difficult for bowlers.
New ideas to restore balance
Tendulkar also suggested changes to the powerplay structure in a bid to give captains greater control and help bowlers regain some influence in matches.
Currently, teams enjoy a six-over batting powerplay, during which only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Tendulkar proposed splitting that phase into two parts.
Under his suggestion, the first four overs would remain unchanged, while the remaining two powerplay overs could be used later in the innings at the discretion of the fielding captain.
During those overs, the fielding side would be allowed only two fielders outside the circle, creating a tactical bowling powerplay that could be deployed at key moments.
“Those two consecutive overs should be determined by the fielding captain as and when he wants to take them,” Tendulkar explained.
Allow the best bowlers to bowl more
The former India captain also proposed increasing the maximum quota for one bowler from four overs to five.
Tendulkar argued that teams should be allowed to use their premier bowler for a greater portion of the innings, just as star batters are often able to bat through the entire 20 overs.
“One bowler should be allowed to bowl five overs. Because invariably the best bowler of the side is going to bowl that fifth over,” he said.
“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?”
The Impact Player rule has previously been criticised by several leading Indian cricketers, including captain Shubman Gill and former skipper Rohit Sharma. Tendulkar’s comments are likely to add fresh momentum to the debate over whether the IPL’s regulations are making the contest between bat and ball increasingly one-sided.
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