Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has suggested three key changes to the Indian Premier League (IPL) rules to address the perceived imbalance between batsmen and bowlers. Speaking at the ESPNcricinfo Awards in Ahmedabad ahead of the current IPL final, Tendulkar called for the removal of the 'Impact Player' rule, introduced in 2023, which allows teams to substitute a player from a pre-selected list during the match. He argued that this rule gives batsmen undue advantage, exacerbating the imbalance in T20 cricket.
Tendulkar proposed dividing the powerplay overs into two segments, with different fielding restrictions for each. He also suggested allowing bowlers to bowl five overs per innings instead of the current maximum of four. According to Tendulkar, these changes would help restore balance to the game and enhance the competitiveness of the IPL.
The 'Impact Player' rule allows teams to play with 12 players, substituting one from a pre-selected list during the match. This, Tendulkar believes, gives batsmen additional freedom and puts bowlers at a disadvantage. He emphasized that T20 cricket, with its 20-over format, should maintain a balance between bat and ball.
