Impact Player rule to continue in IPL 2025 amid mixed reactions

The Impact Player rule, which stirred much debate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, will continue in IPL 2025. While the rule brought an exciting change to the tournament when introduced in IPL 2023, it also raised concerns among franchises and players. The governing council has decided to extend the rule for the next three editions of the tournament.

What is the Impact Player Rule?

The Impact Player rule allows a team to substitute a player from their playing XI with a specialist batter or bowler based on match conditions and team requirements. This differs from traditional substitutions, where a replacement player is only allowed to field and cannot bat or bowl. Under this rule, the substituted player can fully participate in the game, allowing teams to maximize their strategies during the match.

Captains from both teams nominate five potential Impact Players before the game, from which one can be chosen as a substitute during the match. The first-ever Impact Player in IPL history was Tushar Deshpande of Chennai Super Kings, who was substituted into play against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023.

Mixed Reactions and Concerns

While the rule added a strategic dimension to the game by allowing teams to bring in an additional bowler or batter at crucial moments, it sparked debate about the role of all-rounders. Many argued that the rule devalues all-rounders, as teams can now depend on specialists rather than players proficient in both batting and bowling.

Senior players, including Rohit Sharma, have expressed their reservations, stating that the rule reduces the importance of all-rounders within the team. Despite this, the governing body has shown strong support for the Impact Player rule, opting to continue it in IPL 2025.