Axar Patel Slams Impact Player Rule

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel shares his dislike for the IPL's Impact Player rule, believing it sidelines all-rounders. Learn more.

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has voiced his strong opposition to the Impact Player rule ahead of the Indian Premier League's 2026 season, which commences on March 28. Patel, an all-rounder himself, feels the rule diminishes the importance of players who can contribute with both bat and ball.

The introduction of the Impact Player rule in 2023 permits teams to substitute a player with a specialist during a match. Patel articulated that this often leads teams to overlook all-rounders in favor of batsmen or bowlers, a shift he personally finds detrimental. He stated, "From a personal point of view though, I don't like the rule."

Despite his concerns, Patel acknowledged the rule is in place and must be adhered to. He will lead Delhi Capitals in their opening match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1. This sentiment echoes his previous remarks in 2024, where he noted the rule affected his batting position.

Patel's bowling figures in the 2025 IPL season were his least effective since joining Delhi in 2019, with an economy rate of 8.5 and only five wickets in 11 innings. He clarified that this dip was due to a finger injury sustained during India's 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, which affected his ability to apply pressure and spin the ball.

Conversely, his batting performance in 2025 was a highlight, scoring 263 runs at a strike rate of 158 across 11 innings. He contributed significantly in the middle overs, providing crucial momentum for his team.

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