Former India batter Suresh Raina has criticised the Impact Player rule, which has been in use in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the 2023 season. Teams have frequently breached the 250-run mark over the past few seasons, and there have been several instances of such totals being chased down. The CSK legend said the contest between bat and ball has become somewhat lopsided in favour of the batters due to the rule.
Since its introduction, several players, including former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have voiced their displeasure with the rule.
Earlier, 170 was a competitive score, but now 250 is being chased as well. Even 300 is possible,” Raina told former India batter Aakash Chopra during a chat. Raina urged the BCCI to reconsider the rule, warning that the league won’t improve if the Impact Player rule is retained for long.
I had come close to playing as well, but then they said no,” said Raina. “I am against the Impact player rule. A lot of fit players also bat and 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 the bowlers. “I feel Indian players should not be allowed now. Our league has become very big. When we used to go on Australia and England tours before, I used to ask this.
Back then, I would have definitely said yes. “Now, a lot of outside players come here, and the quality of foreign leagues has also gone down. But at this time, we are ruling the world. Cricket is going somewhere else, and our team is very solid,” he explained.
