Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has raised concerns about the IPL’s impact player rule. The Board of Control for Cricket in India introduced the rule in 2023 which has created public arguments that divide people into opposing groups. The rule permits teams to use one out of four available substitutes who become active players during the match, but this substitution occurs before 14th over of each innings and allows the substitute to complete their batting and bowling responsibilities. Several captains have already questioned this rule, and Gill now joins that list. Gill explained his opinion about impact players during the press conference because he believes teams have no need to use them. He explained that bringing in an additional player decreases the required skills to compete while making the match less dynamic. Gill commented: “Personally, I don’t think there should be an impact player. Cricket in general is a 11-player game. On wickets and grounds that we play, I think an extra batsmen takes the skill out of the game. With that one extra player, it is making the game more one-dimensional. It’s going to be there till 2027, and it is what we spoke in the captains’ meet.” Top players have condemned the rule during the past three seasons. The latest is India T20I vice-captain Axar Patel, who clearly said, “I don’t like it.” Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are among the other players who have expressed identical opinions. Axar Patel said: “I don’t like this rule as I am all rounder myself (laughs). Earlier we used to pick all-rounders for this role (batting and bowling). Now, since the team management goes with a particular batter or bowler, the role of an all-rounder becomes subdued. Rules are rules and we have to follow them, but personally I don’t like it.” Read also: How much do umpires earn from Indian Premier League? The rule, which first appeared in 2023, will remain active until 2027, which marks the completion of its five-year period. The BCCI intends to evaluate the situation during the IPL captains' meeting according to a report by Cricbuzz, which states that no immediate changes will happen. The exact details of the discussion remain unknown at this time. The rule changes have affected the way teams prepare for their matches according to tactical considerations. Teams use an extra batter to start matches and later replace him with a specialist bowler or vice versa. The system provides teams with multiple options but it has diminished the value of all-rounders who now have decreased playing time.