Rahul Dravid, former India head coach and current Rajasthan Royals mentor, has expressed concerns regarding the Impact Player rule in the IPL. Dravid echoed Punjab Kings’ head coach Ricky Ponting when he said he was not impressed with the rule while he was working with Team India, calling it a “complex” addition to the game.
In a recent Sportstar interview, Dravid openly spoke his mind and was in the news as Rahul Dravid doesn’t like the Impact Player rule trended on social media.
Why Rahul Dravid Dislikes Impact Player Rule
Dravid confessed that even though the rule brings in suspense and makes the game competitive right until the last moment, it makes player growth and team culture more difficult from a national team perspective.
“I wasn’t very keen on the Impact Player rule. It makes the game more competitive and exciting, but it caused problems for national team development,” Dravid said.
In his view, the format interferes with opportunities for young all-rounders, who would otherwise have been given more opportunities to play a role in both batting and bowling under the conventional 11 vs 11 format.
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Statistical Impact: Increase in Scoring Rates
Dravid also pointed out the change in statistics following the introduction of the rule in IPL 2023. There is now an additional specialist batter (the eighth) which leads to a higher scoring rate and more aggressive batting line-ups. Teams are still in the contest having lost four or five wickets, with a No. 8 or 9 batter available option.”Scoring rates have gone up. No team is really out of the contest anymore,” Dravid said.
Dravid Admits the Strategic Advantages of the Rule
Although he had doubts initially, Dravid realizes now why the rule exists in the IPL system. He attributed it to making games more competitive and giving Indian players more chances.
“It’s strategically tricky but enables another Indian player to exhibit talent. It’s a boon in that aspect,” he added.
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He admitted that whereas having a proper all-rounder ensures balance, the Impact Player rule enables teams to circumvent the necessity for one in case of need.
From Critic to Champion: Dravid’s Legacy as India Coach
Even though Rahul Dravid didn’t like the Impact Player rule during his time as a coach for India, it didn’t stop him from achieving success. With his coaching, India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, breaking a long-standing wait for an ICC major title.
Rajasthan Royals Lifted by Recent Victory, Dravid Spotted on Crutches
Now coaching Rajasthan Royals, Dravid is dealing with a leg injury and has been spotted on crutches or a wheelchair during games. RR has had an inconsistent campaign in IPL 2025 with two victories from four matches.
Yet with Sanju Samson back at the helm, Rajasthan is on a high of confidence following a 50-run win over PBKS. Next up is a test against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 9.
Debate Over Impact Player Rule Continues
Since Rahul Dravid does not like the Impact Player rule, his opinion lends gravitas to the continuing controversy about the place of the rule in the league. Though it improves entertainment and strategy, its effects on player development and team formation are being scrutinized by game legends.
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