IPL 2024: Impact Player Rule to be Abolished from Next Year? What is BCCI Saying?

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The Impact Player Rule of the IPL is not the most popular concept at the moment. The rule, which was introduced last year, is facing a lot of opposition in this ongoing IPL 2024 season.

The Impact Player Rule has been a hot topic of debate in recent times. This innovative rule allows teams to substitute a player at any point of either innings, provided the player has not yet played in the match. The objective is to add a strategic layer to the game, enabling teams to adapt to situations dynamically.

One of the primary benefits of this rule is its potential to make matches more competitive. Teams can now bring in specialists based on the match's situation, whether it's a spinner on a turning track or a hard-hitter in a chase.

However, there have been concerns about the rule's fairness. Critics have argued that it could tilt the balance in favour of stronger teams with deeper benches. It has also raised questions on the development of all-rounders, as the rule significantly dilutes the importance of the multifaceted players.

Impact Player: Not Popular among Players

From players to coaches, many have already voiced their opinions against it. India captain Rohit Sharma made it very clear that he doesn't welcome the concept.

"I am not a big fan of Impact sub rule. It is going to hold all rounders back, eventually cricket is played by 11 players not 12 players. You are taking out so much from game to make it entertaining for people around. If you look just from the cricketing aspect of it I feel guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren't getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing," Rohit recently said on Club Prairie Fire podcast.

Apart from Rohit, two more Indian players have now openly criticized the rule. RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj pleaded BCCI to stop this rule as the wickets are already flat. The bowlers have taken a huge spanking this season and the Impact Player has further added to their misery.

"Please remove this impact sub thing, the wickets are already flat and there's nothing for the bowlers in it, previously, it used to be slow at times, but the batters now come out swinging at absolutely everything," Siraj told recently after one of RCB's defeats.

Delhi Capitals and India pacer Mukesh Kumar is the latest on the list. He questioned the relevance of using 12 players in a match when it won't be imposed on the international level. He also voiced to change the nature of the tracks as we have seen ridiculous amount of runs in this IPL season.

Will Impact Player Rule be Abolished in IPL?

BCCI is yet to confirm whether the impact player rule is here to stay. But Arun Dhumal recently confirmed that there will be reviews on the rule after the conclusion of this season. With the growing unpopularity of the nascent rule among the players, the BCCI may have to come up with a decision before the start of next season.

"Now that such an observation has been made, we will definitely look into it. We will discuss with all parties involved and then take a call," Dhumal said to The Telegraph recently.

The current notion from BCCI indicates that a multi-perspective discussion is likely to take place on the rule.

The Impact Player rule was introduced to help teams strategize according to the situation of the match, but the implication has been detrimental for the all-rounders. It also has tilted the game to the favour of a chasing team as often the Impact Batting option has played a major part in the proceedings. Hence BCCI will have to think deeply before giving it a green signal next season.