Sachin Tendulkar Criticizes IPL Impact Player Rule, Proposes Major T20 Changes

“I feel when in a T20 format you just have to play 20 overs, and then you are adding one more batter to that line-up. Where bowlers are already being challenged, I find that imbalance,” he said.

While Sachin Tendulkar is not the first person to criticize the Impact Player rule, players like Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have also shared similar views. They believe the rule reduces the value of all-rounders in the game. Tendulkar also suggested introducing a bowling powerplay to create a better balance between bat and ball, similar to the existing batting powerplay.

“[In] the powerplay of six overs with field restrictions, only two fielders are allowed outside the ring. Let the first four overs be batters’ powerplay with the same field restrictions, and post that, the remaining two powerplay overs should be determined by the fielding captain as and when he wants to take. Those two consecutive overs will also get one fielder extra outside the ring at any stage of the game,” he exclaimed. 

Apart from these suggestions, Sachin Tendulkar also proposed increasing the maximum number of overs a bowler can bowl in a T20 innings from four to five. He compared it to a batter, who can stay at the crease and bat through all 20 overs, saying bowlers should also have a greater opportunity to influence the game.

“One bowler should be allowed to bowl five overs. Because invariably the best bowler of the side is going to bowl that fifth over,” the Mumbaikar concluded.