NEW DELHI: Batting great Sachin Tendulkar has called for significant changes to the IPL’s playing regulations, including the removal of the Impact Player rule, which he believes has tilted the game too heavily in favour of batters.

The Impact Player rule, introduced ahead of the 2023 season, allows teams to replace a player from the starting XI with one of five substitutes at any stage during the match. While the innovation was designed to add tactical flexibility, it has remained a subject of debate among players and experts.

Speaking at the ESPNcricinfo Awards, Tendulkar made it clear that he is not a fan of the regulation.

“I feel there are a few things which, on a personal note that I can say, I think the impact player needs to go away,” Tendulkar said at the ESPNcricinfo awards.

“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.”

With teams regularly posting massive totals on batting-friendly pitches, Tendulkar feels the rule has further widened the gap between batters and bowlers.

The rule has also faced criticism from several leading cricketers, including India captain Shubman Gill and former skipper Rohit Sharma, both of whom have questioned its impact on the role of all-rounders and the overall balance of the game.

To address the issue, Tendulkar proposed tweaking the powerplay system by introducing a bowling powerplay that would give captains greater control over field placements.

“(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.

“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,” Tendulkar said.

“So you (the fielding side) are able to control the game better.”

The former India captain also suggested increasing the maximum number of overs a bowler can deliver in a T20 innings from four to five, allowing teams to rely more on their premier bowlers.

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

“Wouldn’t you want to see that best bowler bowl more? The top batters are batting sometimes even 20 overs. Why shouldn’t the best bowler be bowling five overs?” he asked.

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