IPL 2025: MS Dhoni explains reason behind disagreement with IPL rule, here is what he says!
Xtra Time Web Desk: India great Mahendra Singh Dhoni has shared his views on the Impact player rule as he feels it was not really required in the IPL when it was implemented.
The impact player rule's strange effect on the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been such that made it easier to take many open calls for it to be removed considering the acknowledgements of the fact that it has led to many more high-scoring games in the league.
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While talking to JioStar, he stated “When this rule was implemented, I felt it wasn’t really needed at that time. In a way, it helps me, but at the same time, it doesn’t. I still do my wicketkeeping, so I’m not an impact player. I have to be involved in the game".
“A lot of people say the rule has led to more high-scoring games. I believe it’s more due to the conditions and the comfort level of players. The number of runs being scored isn’t just because of an extra batsman," said Dhoni.
"It’s about the mindset—teams now have the comfort of an extra batter, so they play more aggressively. It’s not that all four or five extra batters are being used—it’s just the confidence of having them. This is how T20 cricket has evolved.”
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Although MS Dhoni disagrees but other India star Virat Kohli has a different opinion on it. In the last session, he said that it is more entertaining for the crowds to see the big scores, he prefers for there to be more balance between bat and ball. He also said that his unusually high strike rate last season was a direct result of the rule, with the top-order batters getting more freedom to go for big shots due to the presence of an extra batter.
Should the rule to continue or it can be replaced for getting a better balance between bat and ball? With stars sharing their opinions on it, all eyes will be on how things unfold on the field!
