The debate over the IPL’s "Impact Player" rule has a new, influential voice. Ahead of the 2026 season, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has officially joined the list of elite cricketers; including Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya to publicly criticize the regulation.
Speaking at a media interaction on Monday, the Indian T20 vice-captain was blunt about the rule’s effect on his "tribe," stating that the strategic substitute has subdued the role of all-rounders in the tournament. Despite his personal displeasure, Axar remains focused on leading DC in their quest for a maiden title when their campaign begins on April 1 against Lucknow Super Giants.
The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023 and set to remain until at least 2027, allows teams to replace a member of the starting XI at any point. Axar argued that this has shifted the team-building philosophy, encouraging managements to pick specialist "pure" batters or bowlers rather than balanced all-rounders.
I don’t like this rule, honestly, because I am an all-rounder. Earlier, you would pick an all-rounder for batting and bowling. Because of this rule, the team management goes for a particular batsman or bowler, thinking ‘Why do we need an all-rounder?’ ... Personally, I don’t like it
Axar Patel
While Axar’s bowling workload decreased last season, he clarified that the drop was due to a physical setback rather than tactical substitution. During India’s victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, the left-arm spinner sustained a deep cut on his spinning finger.
The injury was aggravated by the seam of the ball, preventing him from applying necessary pressure and rotation. Axar revealed he spent the first seven games of the 2025 IPL season "nursing" the finger and bowling only when absolutely required, though he has now fully recovered ahead of the 2026 season.
In a notable contrast to his captain, DC head coach Hemang Badani defended the rule, suggesting it has revolutionized the aggressive intent of the league. Badani believes the "safety net" provided by the extra player has normalized the massive 240–250 totals seen in 2025.
Evolving scores: Badani noted that 180 is no longer a "sufficient" total in the modern format.
World Cup mindset: Even though the T20 World Cup doesn't use the rule, Badani argues that the IPL’s Impact Player has permanently shifted players toward a "fearless brand" of cricket.
Maiden quest: DC remains one of the few original franchises yet to lift the IPL trophy.
Squad stability: DC retained Axar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Tristan Stubbs while adding KL Rahul and David Miller in the auction.
Record sixes: The 2025 season saw an all-time record of 1,294 sixes, a statistic often attributed to the freedom granted by the Impact Sub.
Role as captain: This is Axar’s second full season as regular captain, having led the team to a 5th-place finish (15 points) in 2025.
