The Impact Player rule has been one of the biggest talking points in recent editions of the Indian Premier League.
Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid, who recently took over after stepping down as India’s head coach, has voiced his reservations about the rule. Let’s take a look at what Dravid had to say about this rule.
Why is Rahul Dravid not a fan of the Impact Player rule in the IPL?
Speaking to Sportstar, Dravid admitted he was never too keen on the concept, even when he was in charge of the Indian national team.
"I’ll be honest: when I was India’s coach, I wasn’t particularly fond of the Impact Player rule. Not because it doesn’t make the game more competitive — it certainly does. It adds complexity and keeps matches alive till the very end. But from a national team perspective, it posed some challenges," said Dravid.
CRICKET CASHBACK: Click here to earn 10% cashback up to INR 20,000 weekly when you bet with Dafabet
From Dravid's viewpoint, the format, which allows teams to substitute a player mid-game, has taken a toll on how all-rounders are being nurtured.
In the previous 11 vs 11 setup, many all rounders would gain the valuable exposure by contributing with both bat and ball. But with this new rule, there is less opportunities for the players, who can do a bit of both, to show their all round skills.
“As a coach, you want to develop all-rounders, and under the old 11 vs 11 format, certain players would have had more opportunities to bat or bowl in different situations. The Impact Player rule has changed that to some extent," Dravid added.
STAY UPDATED WITH TSN: Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
What trends has the rule introduced in the IPL?
Dravid also observed a noticeable change in scoring patterns. With the option to bring in extra batters, teams are now batting deeper and more aggressively.
He mentioned that sides can afford to keep hitting even after losing six or seven wickets because there is often another batter waiting to come in.
“Statistically, scoring rates have increased due to teams having an extra specialist batter. This means no team is ever truly out of a game. You can have a batter at No.8 or even No.9, which allows for aggressive hitting even after losing six or seven wickets,” Dravid said.
Can Rajasthan Royals reclaim their glory in IPL 2025? PREDICT and win WELCOME BONUS upto INR 20,000