"I don't like...": Mike Hesson disrespects IPL and hails PSL

After being shown the doors by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisees, former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson started singing praise for the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Hesson is among people who have been becoming fans of the PSL, downgrading the IPL.

After the end of the PSL Draft 2025, Mike Hesson has taken a subtle swipe at the Indian Premier League. Islamabad United head coach criticized the IPL and its rule. Notably, Hesson served as the head coach of the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Director of Cricket Operations, and head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.

Mike Hesson hails PSL, takes a dig at IPL's 'Impact Player Rule'

Well, Mike Hesson has stirred a storm with his bold comments on the Indian Premier League. He was particularly critical about the controversial 'Impact Player Rule' of India’s franchise league. Hesson hailed the Pakistan Super League and made it clear that he doesn’t want the IPL’s rule in Pakistan’s T20 league.

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The former New Zealand coach has openly said that he doesn’t like the IPL’s 'Impact Player Rule,' but he’s glad that the PSL doesn’t have such a rule. Hesson noted that he doesn’t want the Indian league’s controversial rule to make its way into the Pakistan Super League.

Mike Hesson said during a post-draft press conference: “I don't like the 'Impact Player Rule' in the IPL, and I'm happy that this rule is not implemented in the PSL. I don't like to compare T20 leagues, but that IPL rule is something that I don't want in the PSL.”

Mike Hesson said "I don't like the 'Impact Player Rule' in the IPL, and I'm happy that this rule is not implemented in the PSL. I don't like to compare T20 leagues, but that IPL rule is something which I don't want in the PSL" 🇵🇰🇮🇳🤯

Do Indian fans agree with this statement? 🥶 pic.twitter.com/sJtDRIju48

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 14, 2025

What is the Indian Premier League's Impact Player Rule?

Meanwhile, the 'Impact Player Rule' was introduced in the IPL in 2023, which allows teams to make strategic changes in their playing XI during the matches.

Before the game, each team can choose five substitute players, apart from their playing XI, and they have to share the sheet at the toss.

During the IPL matches, a captain can swap one of the playing XI players with an Impact Player. For example, a team might bring in an extra batter while chasing the target or bring in a specialist bowler while defending a target.

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Why did BCCI introduce this rule?

The BCCI introduced this rule to make the league more interesting, but many have been criticizing this rule because it impacted the growth of the all-rounders and their value. Notably, the IPL and PSL will clash entirely this time, thanks to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Actually, the Pakistan Super League has been moved to the April-May window, as Pakistan will be hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in the PSL’s window, and that is February-March. While the IPL 2025 is expected to run between March 21 and May 25, PSL 2025 will be played between April 8 and May 19.