‘No point or use’: Rahane wants IPL impact player rule removed

Ajinkya Rahane has called for the IPL impact player rule to be scrapped, arguing that it hampers the development of all-rounders and gives batters an advantage. He said removing the rule could help bowlers and strengthen Indian cricket's all-rounder pool.

New Delhi: Former India cricketer and IPL captain Ajinkya Rahane has criticised the contentious impact player rule in the Indian Premier League, calling for it to be scrapped.

Rahane joined several cricketers in criticising the rule, saying it was hampering the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket and calling it of no use.

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“I think it should be taken out,” Rahane, who has led Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in the league, told Cricbuzz.

“I remember last year, before the IPL captains’ meeting, most of the captains said they don’t want the impact player rule. And I think the guidelines or the rules, they have it till 2027. So we don’t know if this year they will take it out or after this year (when) the big auction is coming up, in that they will take it out. But ideally, I feel there is no point or use in having an impact rule,” he added.

The rule has also been criticised for hampering the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket, as franchises tend to replace batters with bowlers and vice versa to maximise their chances with the bat or ball.

Hardik Pandya’s absence from the Indian team has often left the side searching for alternatives. Although Shivam Dube and Nitish Reddy have stepped up, they are still some way from matching Hardik’s capabilities. Moreover, there appear to be few all-rounders in the pipeline, particularly fast-bowling all-rounders, who have become a rarity in Indian cricket.

“All-rounders are going out of the game, especially in the IPL. And I am a firm believer that you’ve got to develop your all-rounders. From the Indian team’s point of view, all-rounders are really important. So the impact player rule should be taken out.

“See, why I feel we should take it out is because last year, I don’t want to take any team’s name, but a few teams were probably at 90/7, 100/7, and they ended up getting 200 because of that one impact (rule), one extra batter with that. So, I feel (we should) give some advantage to bowlers, and also all-rounders should be involved in the games thoroughly. They should take it out,” he added.

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