IPL Drama Alert: Axar Patel Slams the Impact Player Rule, But Sourav Ganguly Says "Deal With It"
By Crick tv
Updated: Mar 25, 2026 06:40 PM
If you thought the only fireworks in the Indian Premier League (IPL) were happening on the pitch, think again. The drama has officially spilled over into the press conferences, and the controversial Impact Player Rule is at the center of it all.
Right now, the cricketing world is split right down the middle. On one side, you have current stars like Delhi Capitals’ vice-captain Axar Patel calling the rule out. On the other? Cricket royalty and former BCCI President Sourav "Dada" Ganguly, who just dropped a massive reality check.
Here is the ultimate breakdown of the controversy everyone is talking about.
Why Axar Patel is Not a Fan
Let’s be real—if you are a genuine all-rounder in modern T20 cricket, things are getting complicated. Axar Patel didn't sugarcoat his feelings, openly admitting that he is not a fan of the new Impact Player dynamic.
His reasoning hits the nail on the head: The rule is slowly killing the traditional all-rounder. Think about it from a franchise's perspective. Why rely on a player who is "pretty good" at both batting and bowling when you can sub in a pure, specialized batter or bowler right when you need them? For multi-skilled players like Axar, this rule devalues the years of hard work they've put into mastering both disciplines. It's a tough pill to swallow.
Sourav Ganguly’s Brutal Reality Check
But before the anti-Impact Player squad could celebrate Axar’s comments, Sourav Ganguly stepped up to the mic. Known for his legendary, no-nonsense leadership, the current Delhi Capitals Director of Cricket shut down any rumors that the rule might be scrapped.
While Dada respected that players will have their own opinions, his response was absolute box office:
"Impact player rule I think it's going to stay, and when I was the president of BCCI it had already come in. So, this is here to stay, someone will like it, someone will not."
Translation? Adapt, or get left behind. Ganguly knows the business of cricket better than anyone. The IPL is an entertainment juggernaut. Fans want to see towering sixes, massive 200+ run chases, and edge-of-the-seat thrillers. The Impact Player rule allows teams to stack their batting lineups, resulting in exactly the kind of high-octane fireworks that keep the stadiums packed and the TV ratings skyrocketing.
The Impact Player Rule: A Quick Breakdown
Why is this one rule causing such a massive headache for purists but pure joy for franchise owners? Here is the cheat sheet:
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The Good: Captains have the ultimate tactical lifeline. Early batting collapse? Bring in a specialist batter. Need to defend 10 runs in the final over? Sub in a death-bowling expert.
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The Bad: It’s a nightmare for bowlers. With teams batting deeper than ever, openers are swinging from the very first ball without fear of losing their wicket.
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The Ugly: It gives teams a free pass for making mistakes. The traditional penalty for poor team selection or an early top-order collapse is practically gone.
The Final Verdict
At the end of the day, T20 cricket is an evolving beast. Sourav Ganguly made a great point during his response: if you want the purest, most grueling test of a cricketer's skill, that is what Test matches are for. The IPL is designed to be a three-hour blockbuster.
Axar Patel's concerns for the future of all-rounders are incredibly valid, but Ganguly’s administrative perspective proves that entertainment will always drive the game forward.
Love it or hate it, the Impact Player rule isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
What do you think? Is the Impact Player rule ruining the balance of the game, or making it more exciting? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇