Impact Player rule to be scrapped? BCCI seeks IPL franchises' opinion

India's cricket board has formally sought feedback from all IPL franchises on the Impact Player rule, setting a deadline of Monday, August 31. The move raises a genuine possibility that the rule, in place since the 2023 season, could be removed before IPL 2027 gets under way.

According to reports, the BCCI has reached out to all the ten franchises in the cash-rich league, seeking their feedback on the matter.

"As discussed in the IPL 2026 Captains’ Meeting, it was agreed that feedback would be collected from all franchises at the conclusion of the tournament on key cricket operations matters. Accordingly, we request you to discuss the following areas with your Cricket Operations teams and share your consolidated feedback with us," the BCCI/IPL mail note read as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The Impact Player rule permits each side to substitute one player during a match, allowing teams to reinforce their batting or bowling line-up depending on how the game is unfolding. Since its introduction in 2023, the rule has divided opinion sharply across the league. Concerns about its effect on bowlers grew louder during the recently concluded 2026 season, even as high-scoring matches with totals exceeding 250 became a more regular feature.

Several prominent captains have publicly opposed the rule. Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Shubman Gill have all spoken out against it, lending considerable weight to calls for a formal review.

What else did BCCI ask franchises to review?

The feedback request covers more than just the Impact Player rule. Franchises have been asked to share their views on PMOA-related concerns, umpiring standards, practice session arrangements and playing conditions.

The PMOA element follows anti-corruption rule breaches during IPL 2026, when trespassers were found inside the Player and Match Officials Area. The incidents prompted the BCCI to issue mid-season guidelines to franchises.

"Kindly ensure that your feedback reaches us by 31 August. This will help us compile inputs from all franchises and take forward the necessary review and action points ahead of the next season," the note read further.

What happens next with the Impact Player rule?

At the IPL 2026 pre-season Captains' Meeting, the BCCI and IPL signalled that the Impact Player rule would stay in place for at least one more season. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had separately confirmed that a comprehensive review would follow once the 2026 season ended, indicating the board was open to reconsidering the regulation.

Reports from June 2026 noted that the BCCI was actively weighing whether to scrap the rule ahead of IPL 2027, with franchise owners also revisiting their stance. The latest communication to franchises confirms the review is now formally under way.

"We look forward to your response within the stipulated timeline," the note concluded.

Whether the rule is retained, modified or removed will depend on the consolidated franchise feedback and the board's subsequent deliberations. No confirmed decision date has been announced.