Shubman Gill hates the Impact Player rule - Here’s why
Published - 27 Mar 2026, 12:45 PM | Updated - 27 Mar 2026, 12:51 PM
A few days back, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel expressed his dislike for the Impact Player rule. Indian star batter Shubman Gill has also joined the conversation, stating that having an extra batter “takes the skill out of the game.”
The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League in 2023, allows teams to substitute one player from their starting XI with one of five named substitutes, who can then fully bat or bowl. This tactical move acts as a "12th man," enabling teams to swap a specialist batter for a bowler based on match situations, such as batting or fielding conditions, momentum shifts, or replacing injured or underperforming players.
Shubman Gill’s Thoughts on the Impact Player Rule
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has not been in favor of the Impact Player rule. He said during a press conference on Thursday, "Personally, I don't think there should be an Impact Player."
Key Aspects of the Impact Player Rule:
Usage Scenarios: A team batting second can bring in an extra batter to strengthen a run chase. Alternatively, if a team loses early wickets, they can replace a fielder with a specialist batter.
Timing: The substitution can occur before the match, at the fall of a wicket, or during the innings break.
Conditions: Only four overseas players can be on the field at once; if four are already playing, the Impact Player must be Indian.
Impact: This rule has led to higher scores, increased entertainment value, and has transformed T20 cricket into a 12-player contest. After being implemented in the IPL, the rule was also used in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2022. However, it was later removed from the domestic competition starting in the 2024 season. Despite ongoing debates about its impact in favoring batters, the BCCI decided to retain it in the IPL.
Shubman Gill: “It’s Completely One-Dimensional”
There is no doubt that the rule has helped teams strengthen their batting line-ups, making it harder for bowlers to predict who will come in next and when. However, Gill believes this has made the game more one-dimensional.
"Cricket, in general, is an 11-player game. Adding an extra batter takes away the skill. With that one extra player, the game becomes more one-dimensional. Chasing 180 or 160 on a challenging wicket is more exciting than chasing 220 on a flat track."
Shubman Gill Talks About His Winning Strategy
Shubman Gill, who was recently honored with the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) 2024–25, is excited for the upcoming season. He emphasized that he wants his team to be known for winning in all conditions, not just favorable ones.
"At the end of the day, you have to score more runs than the opposition. Whether it's by four runs or 150–200 runs, the goal is to win. We are not chasing the glory of scoring 300–350 in a single match. We want to consistently score big runs and achieve the par target for that wicket," Gill said.
"We want to win matches in different conditions. We don’t want to be a team that performs only on good wickets," he added.
Looking at Shubman Gill's form over the years, it’s quite interesting to see what kind of plans other teams will come up with, as he has been in sublime form for the last four to five IPL seasons, often taking his team single-handedly into the playoffs. Gill has also been one of the most consistent batters in this decade of the tournament, scoring 440, 478, 483, 890, 426, and 650 runs since the 2020 edition.
Gujarat Titans will be playing their first match of the season against Punjab Kings on 31st March at the PCA Stadium in Punjab.
Also read: Not Shubman Gill! These 3 players could power GT to IPL 2026 glory
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