Aakash Chopra warns against rewarding mediocrity in IPL with Impact Player rule

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on the impact player rule as discussions intensify ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Despite some players expressing concerns about the rule, Chopra believes that skilled all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja will continue to thrive, suggesting that the rule sets a high standard for performance.

The impact player rule, introduced in recent IPL seasons, has sparked debate within the cricket community. With the next edition of the IPL approaching, there is speculation that the rule might be scrapped, especially since prominent players like Rohit Sharma have voiced their opposition.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chopra addressed the ongoing debate, emphasizing that top-tier all-rounders remain unaffected by the rule. He pointed out that players with exceptional skills, such as Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, continue to contribute effectively with both bat and ball, regardless of the rule.

"But what they say on their side is that the good all-rounders are still doing all-rounder's work. Who's saying that all-rounders don't work? I'll tell you one thing. Because, look at Hardik Pandya, he does batting as well as bowling. Look at Ravindra Jadeja, he does batting as well as bowling. Look at Axar Patel, he does batting as well as bowling. Look at Andre Russell, he does batting as well as bowling. If he's getting a chance to do it. See, there's a distinction here," Chopra said.

"The weak all-rounder who doesn't have that much ability is not a good all-rounder. But, generally, if the standard is getting low, you give him some overs. That's not going to happen. And it's not like if you have a better batting option and you still say that a bowler should do batting. But, if you have that skill that Axar has, that Jaddu has, that Hardik has, that Andre Russell has, or that Sunil Narine has, nothing has changed," he further added.

Chopra further explained that while the impact player rule might allow less skilled all-rounders to get more opportunities, this could ultimately lower the standard of the game. He warned that if mediocrity is rewarded, it could hurt Indian cricket in the long run, as such players may struggle when they reach the international level.

"Now, the story in this impact player is that if you get a mediocre all-rounder to play a game or if someone gets a little more batting, then that mediocrity emerges. If we start rewarding that, then as soon as he reaches the international level, he'll be found out.

"The runs won't be made by him and he would get bashed while bowling. You think you'll be able to finish, You won't be able to. See, there's a balance on both sides. One is your batter, the bowler who can bat a little. He's coming to bat. Then, the batter who can bowl a little is going to bowl an over. So, generally, the standard brings down. You pull it down. And the illusionary, the mediocrity all-rounders are going to flourish. In the long term there is no benefit to Indian cricket," he concluded.