Aakash Chopra rejects IPL franchises' suggestion, strongly backs continuation of Impact Player rule

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his opinion on the impact player on rule ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The cricketer-turned-commentator is in favor of the rule because he feels that a good all-rounder will always make the cut even in the presence of the highly-debated rule.

The focus is slowly moving towards the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The upcoming edition of the tournament will be having a mega auction and the franchise owners had a meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Friday (31st July) for the same.

One of the prime topics that has been surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been whether should impact player rule stay or not. There have been various opinions on the same with many fans and experts sharing different views on the same.

BCCI recently met with franchise owners and the parties discussed the same. Although there hasn't been any official statement related to the same after the meeting Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released an official statement.

They stated that they had a 'productive dialogue' with team owners over the preparations for IPL 2025 and that the IPL governing council will discuss the talking points from the meeting before taking the final call.

Aakash Chopra, however, is in favor of the impact player rule. He said that the rule should stay because good all-rounder will always make the cut and for rest, they need to go back to domestic cricket to improve their skill. He stressed that a team that doesn't have quality all-rounder struggles, giving an example of Punjab Kings. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:

"I think the impact player should stay. The good all-rounder will make the cut. If you are not that good, then, so be it. Sayed Mushtaq Ali, Vijay Hazare Trophy, improve your skill in that. And as soon as you are eligible for IPL the teams will wholeheartedly allow you to bowl and bat.

"Because everyone wants an all-rounder. Everyone does. Even after the impact player rule. Because those who don't have it, they struggle. Rajasthan Royals is an example. Punjab as well (as they play) 6 batters, 5 bowlers."

An all-rounder has a lot of value - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra further stated all-rounder has a lot of value. He stated: "To do that, an all-rounder has a lot of value. But an all-rounder should be good. No mediocrity. No illusory all-rounder. That's what I feel."

Various players including Rohit Sharma have also expressed their concerns over the impact player rule. They were of the opinion that the rule shouldn't be there as it decreases the value of proper all-rounders, citing the example of Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube.

With the majority of the players not in favor of the Impact player rule, it remains to be seen what will be the future of the rule in the league. BCCI will be soon taking an official decision on the same along with some other rules.