The discussion about the viability of the Impact Player rule in the IPL has proved polarising. The rule, which was conceptualized to allow the teams to have an extra player triggered a widespread discussion about its contribution to the high scoring ultra-aggressive mindset that has allegedly distorted the competition between the bat and the ball.
Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes the Impact Player rule isn’t suitable for Indian conditions. “In Indian conditions, an Impact Sub batter has a far greater impact than an Impact Sub bowler, and that has added to everything being in favour of the batting side” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.
“Imagine the Impact Player rule in New Zealand where the ball is swinging, an extra seamer would do wonders. However, in Indian conditions, Impact Player hasn’t worked because an extra batter is having more impact than an extra bowler, which is also a reason why we are seeing such high scores because we are seeing pure batters like Ashutosh Sharma playing at number 8,” he explained.
Ashutosh Sharma has regularly batted at number eight due to the Impact Player rule. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Ashutosh Sharma has regularly batted at number eight due to the Impact Player rule. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
The Mumbai batter also questioned the fading role of all-rounders after the inception of the Impact Player rule.
“We saw the value of a player like Shivam Dube with the ball in the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup before that where he used to bowl 2-3 overs when the pitch is slow, but in the IPL he hardly bowls.
“Initially I thought it was a good idea because teams didn’t have to fit in players who would do a little bit of this and that for the team, but don’t quite show excellence with the bat or ball, someone like Washington Sundar now. However, the rule just doesn’t suit the Indian conditions,” he added.
Published on May 02, 2026