BCCI Set To Bow Down To MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s Age Old Complaint?

Virat Kohli, Rajeev Shukla and MS Dhoni [Source: AFP]

The Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a topic of ongoing debate. Many cricketers and coaches have expressed mixed opinions about it. 

In particular, famous players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have not been very supportive of this rule, introduced by BCCI.

Over time, more players have joined this list of critics, which shows that the discussion around the rule is only growing stronger.

What is the Impact Player rule?

To begin with, the Impact Player rule allows a team to substitute one player from the playing XI with one of the five listed substitutes at any point during the match. This rule was introduced in 2023 and is expected to continue until at least 2027. 

For example, if a team finishes its bowling innings, it can replace a bowler with a batter to strengthen its batting lineup. Because of this flexibility, teams can gain a strategic advantage during matches.

However, it is important to note that this rule is only used in the IPL and is not part of international cricket. As a result, many players feel that it creates a difference between domestic league cricket and the international format.

Why are players against Impact Player rule?

On the other hand, several former and current players have criticised the rule. For instance, Rohit Sharma stated in 2024 that he was not a fan of the rule, explaining that it could harm the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket. 

Similarly, in an interview last year, Virat Kohli reportedly said that he would rather quit cricket than play as an Impact Player, as shared by his RCB teammate Swastik Chikara.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, who has actually played as an Impact Player in recent seasons, has also shared his concerns. MS Dhoni said, "When it first came out, I said one thing that IPL is in such a good position, aur koi masala daalne ki zaroorat nahi hai (there's no need to spice it up further)."

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have played as impact players

It is important to note that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni have all featured as Impact Players as well. Last year, both Rohit and Dhoni were seen taking on this role during IPL 2025. 

Notably, Rohit Sharma was frequently used by the Mumbai Indians as an Impact Player to manage his workload and minor injury concerns. 

Meanwhile, this season, Virat Kohli played as an Impact Player for the first time during the LSG vs RCB match after the star batter picked up an injury. This shows that even though they have concerns about the rule, teams still use it for practical reasons when needed.

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BCCI clears its stand on Impact Player rule

Despite the criticism, the BCCI has not made any immediate changes. However, it has announced that the rule will be reviewed after the IPL 2026. 

Notably, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that discussions about the rule have been ongoing for the past two years.

At the same time, Saikia defended the rule by pointing out that IPL matches continue to be exciting. He said that fans are enjoying both high-scoring and low-scoring games, and bowlers are also performing well.

"Some low-scoring matches are also there. All the fans are enjoying the matches. The bowlers are getting good wickets as well. Some teams are scoring very low totals too if you look at the overall scorecards, and some teams are chasing 260 also," he said. 

He further added, "Everything is happening it is a full bouquet in one package."

In conclusion, while the Impact Player rule has added a new layer of strategy to the IPL, it has also raised concerns among players. 

Although the BCCI is not planning any immediate changes, the rule will be reviewed after the current cycle. Therefore, the future of this rule will likely depend on further discussions and feedback from teams and players.

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