Impact Player Rule to be discarded from IPL 2025? Jay Shah gives a colossal update

The future of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is hanging by a thread, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah remains non-committal on its continuation in the world’s biggest T20 league.

Shah revealed that a decision regarding the future of the Impact Player would be made after consultations with franchise captains, players, coaches, and broadcasters. This much-debatable rule was introduced in the IPL in the 2023 edition, and it allows two additional Indian players to feature in the playing XI for every match.

Despite emphasizing the significance of the Impact Player rule in providing more playing opportunities for Indian talent in the IPL, Shah said that they will have comprehensive discussions regarding the rule before making any calls, so he can’t say anything about it presently.

Jay Shah is non-committal on Impact Player rule's future in IPL

As reported by Cricbuzz and Sportstar, Jay Shah said at the BCCI headquarters: “The Impact Player rule was brought in as a test case. On the bright side, this rule is providing additional playing opportunities to two more Indian players in every match.

We will consult with the franchise captains, players, franchises, and broadcasters and then we will decide on the continuation of the Impact Player in the IPL. It’s not a permanent rule nor am I saying we will move past it, but no one has provided feedback against the rule.”

Notably, the Impact Player rule has sparked debates among cricketers and cricket experts, with some lauding its role in providing a platform for the extra players to showcase their skills on a grand stage like the IPL, while others question its impact on team dynamics, strategy, and most importantly, the growth of the all-rounders.

Recently, Rohit Sharma and Ricky Ponting voiced against this rule. Well, the Impact Player rule offers a strategic advantage to the team batting first, allowing them to field seven specialist batters. And then, during the bowling innings, they can substitute one of the batters with a specialist sixth bowler.

IPL's Impact Player rule not welcomed by the players

It’s vice versa for the chasing team in the IPL. Captains are required to carry two team sheets at the toss to use the advantages of this rule. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Abhishek Sharma lamented not getting the opportunity to bowl in the ongoing IPL 2024 due to this rule. 

Abhishek Sharma had said: “Everybody knows that I can bowl. But because of this Impact Player rule, there is always an extra bowler. It is going to happen with all-rounders. It happened last year, and it is happening this year as well.”

Like Abhishek, CSK’s Shivam Dube, SRH’s Washington Sundar, LSG’s Krunal Pandya, CSK’s Shardul Thakur, GT’s Rahul Tewatia, LSG’s Deepak Hooda, Riyan Parag, and KKR’s Ramandeep Singh have also been unable to show their bowling prowess in the IPL due to the Impact Player rule with the teams going with the specialist bowlers.

However, this rule offered opportunities for the likes of Ashutosh Sharma and Abishek Porel to shine on the big stage.