Suresh Raina hits out at IPL Impact Player rule: Nothing left for bowlers

Former Chennai Super Kings batter Suresh Raina has criticised the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League, saying it has given batters an added advantage while leaving bowlers under increasing pressure.Rohit Sharma has been predominantly used as an Impact Player by MI in IPL 2025 (PTI Photo)Former Chennai Super Kings batter Suresh Raina has criticised the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League, arguing that it has made life increasingly difficult for bowlers while giving batters too much of an advantage.Raina, who played 228 IPL matches during his career, believes the rule has contributed to the surge in high-scoring games, with teams now regularly posting totals above 200 and even threatening to reach 300."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," Raina said on a podcast with former India batter Aakash Chopra.Introduced in the IPL in 2023, the Impact Player rule allows teams to name five substitutes after the toss, with one of them eligible to replace a player from the starting XI during the match. The replacement can be introduced after the first ball has been bowled. Raina feels the additional batting option has shifted the balance significantly in favour of the batters. Teams can use specialist batters and bowlers at different stages of a match, reducing the need for players to make an impact with both bat and ball.The former India international also pointed to the dramatic rise in batting standards since the rule was introduced. Several teams have crossed the 250-run mark in recent seasons, while totals that once appeared difficult to chase have become increasingly achievable. Raina also backed the BCCI's decision to prevent active Indian players from featuring in overseas franchise T20 leagues."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," he said."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."Raina finished his IPL career with 5,528 runs in 228 matches, including one century and 39 fifties. He won the title three times with CSK and remains one of the most successful players in the league's history. - EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 5, 2026 13:14 IST