As IPL scores keep climbing into the stratosphere, Suresh Raina has voiced a growing concern shared by many current stars, the league’s Impact Player rule is leaving bowlers with nowhere to hide and even fully fit players are getting an easy pass by being subbed out after doing half their job.
Suresh Raina isn’t alone in this view. Ever since the rule came into effect in 2023, several players have spoken out against it, including big names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who voiced their frustration during the 2024 season. The rule is widely seen as a major factor behind skyrocketing totals — 200 is no longer a match-winning score and the last three seasons alone have produced multiple 250-plus totals. Punjab Kings even pulled off a chase of over 260 against Kolkata Knight Riders back in 2024.
Speaking with Aakash Chopra, Suresh Raina explained that he doesn’t support the Impact Player rule, pointing out that many physically fit players bat for a bit and then simply get replaced, which he feels halts genuine improvement as cricketers. He noted that no such substitution exists in World Cup cricket, and while he acknowledges the entertainment value it brings to the format, he feels it’s come at the cost of giving bowlers a fair chance. According to him, totals that used to be seen as strong , around 170, have now been replaced by games where even 250 or 300 gets chased down, leaving bowlers with almost no way to strike back. He added that batters barely get dismissed anymore, and having extra batting options on the field only piles more pressure onto the bowling side.
The 2011 World Cup winner also shared his thoughts on whether Indian cricketers should be free to play in foreign T20 leagues. Suresh Raina feels there’s no real need for this right now, arguing that the IPL has grown far bigger and more prestigious than leagues like Australia’s Big Bash or England’s The Hundred. He mentioned that in the past, during India’s overseas tours, he used to wonder about this himself and had actually come close to playing abroad but permission was denied at the time.
What is your take on Impact Player rule?
