Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel criticized the IPL Impact Player rule on March 31, 2026, in New Delhi, stating the regulation sidelines all-rounders by allowing teams to swap specialist batters and bowlers. This rule forces multi-skilled players to compete with single-skill specialists for a spot in the starting eleven.
Axar Patel claims substitution rule favors one-dimensional specialists
Axar Patel spoke at the season opener press conference at the Leela Hotel in Chanakyapuri. He stated that teams now prefer using a specialist batter or bowler because the rule provides a safety net. This means a team does not need an all-rounder to balance the side when they can simply bring in a fresh specialist during the match.
"I don't like this rule," Axar Patel said during the media interaction. He explained that teams now go with a specialist batter or bowler, which directly affects the place of an all-rounder in the squad. This shift means players who can both bat and bowl are no longer the primary way to fix a team's balance.
The Delhi Capitals skipper noted that while he disagrees with the regulation, he must follow the existing league laws. His comments suggest that the tactical "12th man" allows franchises to ignore the traditional need for versatile players. This change effectively makes the game a contest between specialists rather than a test of squad depth.
