Suresh Raina, a former Indian cricket player and former batter for Chennai Super Kings, has raised his concerns over the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He feels that this rule is biased towards batters and makes it tough for bowlers to make runs and hence creates an imbalance in the game. Raina believes that the rule needs to be reformed as IPL scores have been climbing rapidly in recent seasons.
Raina, who has won four IPL titles and is one of the best players in the league's history, has played a key role in the Chennai Super Kings, which are now great. His performance on the field has not only showcased his talent but has also marked the development of T20 cricket, which he attributes to the modern-day changes in cricket.
The Impact Player rule was introduced in the 2023 IPL season that allows teams to have five substitutes for the toss. This allows teams to use one of these players as an Impact Player at any moment of the match, and hence they can change the strategy depending on whether they are batting or bowling. While this rule has certainly added a new layer of strategy to IPL matches, it has also been criticized by some former and current players, including Raina.
The Impact Player rule has presented teams with another specialist batter or bowler, which is a deviation from a standard eleven-player side and no longer in line with the traditional balance. That has raised questions about the integrity of the game and its core principles.
In a conversation with fellow Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra, Raina was vehemently against the Impact Player rule and voiced his stance in this regard. He said that the current format has created a scenario in which physically fit players are limited to one part of the game when they are often sidelined to just one aspect of the game and then replaced out in that process. "I am against the Impact Player rule. A lot of fit players also bat and then just sit down. How will you improve? There is no such rule in the World Cup. I understand the entertainment factor, but there is nothing left for bowlers,” Raina passionately said.
One of Raina’s biggest concerns is the mounting pressure on bowlers. The IPL's batting totals have been rising for years and scores above 200 runs are now a common event. In fact, totals above 250, once considered ludicrous in T20 cricket, are now even achievable.
Raina appreciated the rapid change in expectations from previous IPL seasons, when a total of around 170 runs was considered competitive. Now the batting line-ups and the strategic benefit of having the ability to add an extra batter with the Impact Player rule have changed a lot as well, and the game has transformed the landscape to see even bigger goals.
"Previously, 170 was a competitive score, but now teams are successfully chasing down totals of 250 and even 300 runs," Raina added, signifying the dramatic evolution in scoring patterns.
Bowlers are suffering as batsmen can be aggressive in a bid to win without fear of losing wickets, he said. The Impact Player rule enables teams to take risks in the first innings and stay aggressive throughout the innings.
“Leave something for the bowlers. There is no wicket-taking option. The batters don’t get out, and with extra batters, there will be increased pressure on the bowlers,” he said, underlining the growing concern in the current format for bowlers.
The Impact Player rule has been a topic of debate since being introduced in 2023. Critics argue that if teams can’t just swap a batter for a bowler, they are not getting a player that is all over the place in a game.
The Impact Player discussion has also played a huge role in the remarkable rise in IPL scoring rates. Improved batting skills, batting-friendly pitches, better equipment, and a more aggressive mindset of players have all contributed to this trend. But Raina claims that the substitution rule has merely accelerated the shift towards batting dominance.
In 2024, the Punjab Kings did very well in chasing over 260 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders, showcasing that even seemingly insurmountable totals can now be conquered by teams boasting a deep and powerful batting line-up.
In addition to reflecting on the Impact Player rule, Raina also gave some comments about Indian players going overseas to play in franchise leagues. Indian cricket has evolved to the point where domestic players no longer need to play in foreign leagues to gain exposure and experience.
“I think Indian players should not be allowed to participate in overseas leagues anymore. Our league has become very big and competitive,” Raina confidently said.
He explained that the context was different at the beginning of his career, and that having played in overseas leagues would have helped his development as a player. But he told us that the IPL has helped in the growth of the domestic T20 league as well as the influx of international players into the Indian league.
“Now, many players from abroad come to play in our league, and the quality of foreign leagues has also diminished. Back then, I’d have supported playing overseas. But we are now leading the cricketing world,” Raina said. “The game is evolving in a different direction and our national team is very strong.”
Raina’s comments will most likely reignite debate on the future of the Impact Player rule. The regulation has certainly led to more tactical options and great high-scoring matches, but it raises concerns regarding the balance between bat and ball in the game.
As IPL teams continue to play aggressively, it seems unlikely that the Impact Player rule will be phased out anytime soon. Raina’s message is very clear: while entertainment holds significant value in cricket, it is imperative to maintain a balance that allows bowlers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the game.
