Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Suresh Raina has raised serious questions over the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Impact Player rule has been continuously criticised, and now Raina also admitted that the rule has made life even harder for bowlers in a format already dominated by batters. Amid this, RCB name-change rumours end as Aryaman Birla confirms team name.
Suresh Raina slams Impact Player rule in IPL
The Impact Player rule was introduced in the IPL in 2023. It allows each team to make one substitution during a match. Teams name five substitute players along with their playing XI after the toss, and one of them can be used as the Impact Player.
Raina has pointed out that the extra batting option has made teams stronger with the bat while putting bowlers under huge pressure. The former CSK icon also pointed out that some players can bat and then sit out instead of taking part in the fielding effort.
The 2011 World Cup winner also blamed the Impact Player rule for the rise in massive scores, with even 300-run totals becoming possible in the IPL. However, the rule is now reportedly under review, and it remains unclear whether it will continue in IPL 2027.
Suresh Raina told Aakash Chopra on his podcast, “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. It is tough for bowlers. Even 300 is being scored. With extra batters, there will be pressure on the bowlers.”
Suresh Raina takes strong stand on Indian players in foreign T20 leagues
The former Indian batter also shared his views on the BCCI’s restrictions for the foreign T20 leagues. Presently, Indian players can only play in overseas leagues after retiring from international, domestic and IPL cricket. Till then, they can’t take part in any franchise league around the world.
Raina feels Indian players should not be allowed to play overseas now. He believes that the IPL has become too big globally, while the quality of some overseas T20 leagues has dropped compared to the past. He would have said yes had the BCCI given him permission. Amid this, BCCI plans FTP change to give Team India more rest before SENA tours.
He said, “I feel Indian players should not be allowed now. Our league has become very big. When we used to go on tours before, I used to ask this. I had come close to playing as well, but then they said no. Now a lot of outside players come here, and the quality of foreign leagues has also gone down. Back then, I would have definitely said yes. But at this time, we are ruling the world.”
Suresh Raina’s India and IPL numbers
Suresh Raina had a highly successful international career for India, scoring 7,988 runs and taking 62 wickets in 322 matches across formats. He was a dangerous middle-order batter and made history by becoming the first Indian to score centuries in all three international formats.
Raina played 176 IPL matches for CSK and scored 4,687 runs at an average of 32.32 and a strike rate of 136.93. He also hit one century and 33 fifties during his IPL career.
