Former India batter Suresh Raina has spoken against the Impact Player rule in the IPL, saying it has made things harder for bowlers.
The Impact Player rule was introduced in IPL 2023. It allows teams to name five substitutes after the toss and use one of them during the match.
Suresh Raina feels the rule gives teams too many batting options. He also believes some players who are fit are now getting very little involvement in matches.
I am against the Impact player rule. A lot of fit players also bat and just sit down. There is nothing left for the bowlers, Suresh Raina said on a podcast with Aakash Chopra.
He also pointed towards the rise in high scoring games. According to Raina, the extra batting option has added more pressure on bowlers, with teams now capable of scoring 250 plus.
The rule has been a major talking point since its introduction. It has helped teams add depth to their batting, but bowlers have often been left with a tougher job, especially on good batting pitches.
Raina also spoke about Indian players not being allowed to play in overseas franchise T20 leagues.
The former CSK batter said he now supports the BCCI‘s decision because the IPL has become one of the biggest T20 leagues in the world.
Raina said the situation was different earlier when overseas leagues were stronger and Indian players were interested in getting those opportunities.
He believes Indian cricket does not need its players to play in other franchise leagues at this stage.
The Impact Player rule remains one of the biggest changes introduced in the IPL in recent years.
Raina’s comments have once again raised the question of whether the rule is helping the tournament or taking too much away from the bowlers.
