New Delhi: Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has advocated for major revisions to the Indian Premier League's playing regulations, particularly urging the scrapping of the Impact Player rule. He argues that the rule has disproportionately favored batters, creating an imbalance in the game.
Impact Player rule under scrutiny
The Impact Player rule, introduced before the 2023 season, permits teams to substitute a player from the starting eleven with one of five designated substitutes at any point during the match. While intended to enhance tactical flexibility, it has sparked ongoing debate among players and experts. Speaking at the ESPNcricinfo Awards, Tendulkar expressed his opposition to the regulation.
"I feel there are a few things which, on a personal note that I can say, I think the impact player needs to go away," Tendulkar stated at the event. "I feel when in a T20 format you just have to play 20 overs, and then you are adding one more batter to that line-up. Where bowlers are already being challenged, I find that imbalance."
With teams routinely posting massive totals on batter-friendly pitches, Tendulkar believes the rule has further widened the gap between batters and bowlers. The rule has also drawn criticism from prominent cricketers, including India captain Shubman Gill and former skipper Rohit Sharma, who have questioned its effect on all-rounders and overall game balance.
Proposed bowling powerplay
To address the issue, Tendulkar suggested modifying the powerplay system by introducing a bowling powerplay that would give captains greater control over field placements. He proposed that the first four overs of the powerplay remain a batters' powerplay with the current field restrictions, allowing only two fielders outside the ring.
"Post that, the remaining two powerplay overs should be determined by the fielding captain as and when he wants to take. Those two consecutive overs will also get one fielder extra outside the ring at any stage of the game," Tendulkar explained. "So you (the fielding side) are able to control the game better."
Increasing bowler overs to five
The former India captain also recommended increasing the maximum number of overs a bowler can deliver in a T20 innings from four to five, enabling teams to rely more on their premier bowlers. "One bowler should be allowed to bowl five overs. Because invariably the best bowler of the side is going to bowl that fifth over. Wouldn't you want to see that best bowler bowl more? The top batters are batting sometimes even 20 overs. Why shouldn't the best bowler be bowling five overs?" he questioned.
Stay updated with the latest IPL news, including match updates, schedule, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
