Delhi Capitals’ skipper, Axar Patel, expressed his disapproval of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating that it diminishes the significance of all-rounders in the tournament. Introduced in 2023, the rule allows teams to substitute a batter or bowler during any innings, a change Patel believes affects the selection of all-rounders.
Patel, an all-rounder himself, emphasized his preference for the traditional approach of selecting players based on both batting and bowling capabilities. Despite acknowledging the necessity of adhering to the rule, he personally finds it unfavorable due to its impact on team composition and strategy.
DC is set to kick off their IPL 2026 season against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Axar Patel had previously voiced concerns about the rule in 2024 when he was the vice-captain of DC, citing its influence on his batting position.
Despite facing challenges in bowling during the previous IPL season, Patel excelled in batting, scoring 263 runs in 11 innings with a strike rate of 158. He clarified that his bowling performance was hampered by a finger injury sustained during the 2025 Champions Trophy, not by the Impact Player rule.
