IPL 2026 Captain Revolts Against BCCI's Rule, Highlights Major Problem

Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya (Source:AFP)

As the countdown to the IPL 2026 begins, discussions around team strategies and rules have already taken the centre stage. One of the biggest talking points is the Impact Player rule, which has drawn criticism from several players.

 Additionally, Axar Patel, captain of the Delhi Capitals, has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the BCCI's rule.

Axar Patel talks about impact player rule

Speaking at the Delhi Capitals’ season-opening press conference in New Delhi, Axar Patel did not hold back. He clearly stated that he is not a fan of the rule, mainly because it reduces opportunities for all-rounders. 

According to him, teams now prefer specialists over versatile players due to the flexibility the rule provides. Axar Patel explained that teams valued all-rounders because they offered balance. 

Now, with the option to substitute a player based on the situation, franchises tend to choose either an extra batter or a bowler instead. This shift, he believes, is reducing the importance of all-rounders in the tournament.

"I don't like this rule, honestly, because I am an all-rounder (laughs)," Axar replied when asked about the rule. "Earlier, you would pick an allrounder for batting and bowling. Because of this rule, the team management goes for a particular batsman or bowler, thinking 'Why do we need an allrounder?' Since I am an allrounder, I don't like the rule. At the same time, rules are rules and we need to follow them. From a personal point of view though, I don't like the rule."

Rohit, MS Dhoni give blunt verdict on Impact player rule

It is important to mention that earlier, former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma also openly criticised the impact player rule. 

"I generally feel that it is going to hold back (development of allrounders) because eventually cricket is played by 11 players, not 12 players," Rohit said on the Club Prairie Podcast, which is co-hosted Adam Gilchirst and Michael Vaughan. 

"I'm not a big fan of impact player. You are taking out so much from the game just to make it little entertainment for the people around. But if you look [at] genuinely just cricketing aspect of it…. I can give you so many examples - guys like Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube are not getting to bowl, which for us [India team] is not a good thing."

Along with him, Hardik Pandya, MI captain, also spoke about the Impact Player Rule - “Going forward, whether that can change or will that change is something we will have to see. But yes, if you want to encourage more all-rounders, they will need to have their spot in the team for them to develop over the years,” the Mumbai Indians captain said.

MS Dhoni also made bold statement on this rule earlier in 2025 - "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)," Dhoni said on Jio Hotstar.

"Games were already quite high-scoring, they were going well, the matches were quite competitive. We have seen it often in this format that matches end in five overs — you lose too many wickets, fail to make proper runs and the opposition wins easily.

What is the Impact Player Rule?

The Impact Player rule, introduced by the BCCI in India in 2023, allows teams to substitute one player during a match. This effectively turns the game into a 12-player contest. While it has made matches more dynamic and often more high-scoring, it has also changed how teams approach selection.

Delhi Capitals' schedule for IPL 2026 first half

Heading into IPL 2026, the Delhi Capitals are still searching for their first-ever title. The team will begin their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 in Lucknow. They will then play home matches against the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Titans before facing the Chennai Super Kings away in Chennai.

Also Read: Mitchell Starc Out; Delhi Capitals' Probable Bowling Attack For Initial IPL 2026 Matches