Rahul Dravid Makes A Shocking Revelation, Protested Against BCCI As India's Head Coach For This

The former Indian head coach and the current Rajasthan Royals’ coach from IPL 2025, Rahul Dravid, has shared his views on the Impact Player rule of the 20-over franchise tournament. He stresses the strategic values and the challenges it poses to the all-rounders for the national side.

Rahul Dravid admitted that even though the rule has made the competition more competitive, there will be concerns over the wider effect it would have on the national side.

“The impact player rule adds complexity”- Rahul Dravid

Due to the impact player rule, most teams have taken the benefit of using an extra batter on the side. Chennai Super Kings never use Shivam Dube in the field because he can’t bowl, but can nail those sixes at number four for the side.

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The same planning goes with Lucknow Super Giants, who received a blow of Mitchell Marsh was unable to bowl due to his injuries.

He is currently the third-leading run-getter of the season with 265 runs in five innings at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 180.27. But he stays out of the field during their bowling without putting any stress on the franchise’s balance of the side.

Rahul Dravid has touched on the complexity it brings to the IPL to keep the games alive till the very end. He reckons even though the scores have started to grow more, it won’t help the national sides much.

“It has certainly added a different dynamic. I’ll be honest: when I was India’s coach, I wasn’t particularly fond of the Impact Player rule. Not because it doesn’t make the game more competitive. It certainly does.” The former Indian captain expressed this during a recent chat with Sportstar.

“But It adds complexity and keeps matches alive till the very end. But from a national team perspective, it posed some challenges. Statistically, scoring rates have increased due to teams having an extra specialist batter.” Rahul Dravid addressed.

The former wicket-keeper batter feels that the number eight and nine players can still go for the big shots even after losing six or seven wickets.

“This means no team is ever truly out of a game. You can have a batter at No.8 or even No.9, which allows for aggressive hitting even after losing six or seven wickets.” Dravid added.

Rahul Dravid is concerned with all-rounders’ contribution

In the past, the game was swinging at a different pace. The all-rounders are supposed to be the most important part of the side. Batting at four or five, besides providing six to eight overs in a 50-over format, always helps the side in balancing the playing eleven.

But Rahul Dravid is concerned with the impact rule on grooming the all-rounders in the side.

“As a coach, you want to develop all-rounders, and under the old 11 vs 11 format, certain players would have had more opportunities to bat or bowl in different situations. The Impact Player rule has changed that to some extent.” The Karnataka-born explained.

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“While having an all-rounder still brings balance, teams can now manage without one if they don’t find the right fit.” Rahul Dravid added.

Rajasthan Royals slip to seventh position

The Rahul Dravid-coached Rajasthan Royals, after their third defeat in five encounters, have slipped to the seventh position with a negative net run rate of 0.733.

Their next game will be against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home in the afternoon at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.