Concerns regarding an imbalance between bat and ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been raised by several observers over time. This issue has now been highlighted by former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who has put forward three specific proposals aimed at restoring competitive balance within the Twenty20 format.
Tendulkar expressed his views in Ahmedabad on the eve of the current IPL final, where he attended the ESPNcricinfo Awards. During the event, he addressed the impact of recent rule changes in the tournament, with particular focus on the ‘Impact Player’ regulation, which he suggested should be removed entirely.
The Impact Player rule was introduced in the IPL in 2023. Under this provision, teams are permitted to name five substitute players at the time of the toss, one of whom can replace a member of the starting XI at any stage during the match. This effectively allows each team to utilise 12 players in a game. The rule has been widely regarded as providing additional flexibility, particularly to batting line-ups, as teams can introduce a fresh batter even after losing multiple wickets.
Tendulkar explained his opposition to the rule, stating: “In a T20 format, there are only 20 overs. You are adding an extra batter to the line-up. Bowlers are already facing numerous challenges. Because of this rule, an imbalance is being created in the game.” His remarks underline concerns that the current structure disproportionately favours batting units.
In addition to calling for the removal of the Impact Player rule, Tendulkar proposed two further adjustments to playing conditions. The first relates to the structure of the powerplay overs. At present, in T20 cricket, the first six overs of an innings are designated as the powerplay, during which only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
Tendulkar suggested a modification whereby the initial four overs would retain the existing fielding restriction. The remaining two overs of the powerplay, however, would be used at the discretion of the fielding captain at any point later in the innings. During those selected overs, the fielding side would be allowed an additional fielder outside the circle. According to Tendulkar, this adjustment would enable fielding teams to exercise greater tactical control during critical phases of the match.
His third proposal concerns bowling limits. Under current T20 regulations, a bowler may deliver a maximum of four overs in an innings. Tendulkar recommended increasing this limit to five overs per bowler. He argued that such a change would allow teams to utilise their leading bowlers more effectively. “Naturally, the best bowler in the team will bowl that fifth over. Would you not want to see your top bowler bowl more? Top batters sometimes bat through the full 20 overs. So why should the best bowler not be allowed to bowl five overs?” he stated.
The following table summarises the existing rules and Tendulkar’s proposed changes:
| Aspect | Current Regulation | Proposed Change | Intended Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Player Rule | One substitute from a list of five allowed | Rule to be removed | Reduce batting advantage |
| Powerplay Structure | Six consecutive overs with restrictions | Split into 4 overs + 2 flexible overs | Increase tactical fielding options |
| Bowling Limit | Maximum of 4 overs per bowler | Increase to 5 overs per bowler | Enhance role of leading bowlers |
Tendulkar’s proposals focus on structural adjustments intended to address the perceived imbalance between batting and bowling in the IPL, while maintaining the fundamental characteristics of the T20 format.