IPL Reform: Amidst the increasing dominance of batsmen in IPL 2026, Sachin Tendulkar has suggested three major changes to bring balance in the game. He advocated abolishing the impact player rule, implementing the bowling powerplay and allowing a bowler to bowl five overs.

IPL Reform: The dominance of batsmen continues to increase in IPL 2026.

In many matches, even a score of more than 220 does not seem safe and the run rate has reached close to 10 runs per over. In such a situation, former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar suggested 3 major changes to restore the balance between bat and ball in T20 cricket.

At the ESPNcricinfo Awards ceremony held in Mumbai, a day before the IPL 2026 final, Sachin was the first to voice his opinion and demand the removal of the Impact Player rule. He believes that this rule is disturbing the balance of the game.

Sachin gave the formula for IPL reform
Sachin said that in T20 cricket there is already only 20 overs. In such a situation, inclusion of an additional batsman through an impact player would have increased the pressure on the bowlers. According to him, this makes the competition not equal.

Impact player rule should be removed: Tendulkar
It is noteworthy that the Impact Player rule was implemented in 2023. Under this, teams can change any player from their playing eleven during the match and field a substitute player. This rule has already been criticized by many senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

He also believes that this weakened the role of the bowlers.

Different powerplay suggestion for bowlers

Sachin’s second suggestion was to powerplay. He said that the powerplay of the first 6 overs should be divided into two parts. According to him, the first 4 overs should be like a traditional powerplay for the batsmen, where only 2 fielders are outside the 30-yard circle. After this, the remaining two overs can be used by the fielding captain at any time as per his strategy. Only two fielders should be allowed to be kept out in those overs also.

Sachin believes that this will give a strategic edge to the captains and the bowlers will get a chance to make a comeback in the match.

A bowler gets the fifth over
Sachin’s third and biggest suggestion was regarding the bowlers. He said that a bowler should be allowed to bowl 5 overs. He argued that if a top batsman can bat the full 20 overs, then there is no harm in the team’s best bowler also getting an extra over. This will increase the impact of quality bowlers in the match and the batsmen will be forced to think more before playing openly.

These suggestions of Sachin can spark a new debate amidst the continuous big scores and record-breaking batting in IPL 2026. Now it will be interesting to see how seriously BCCI considers these proposals in future.