Axar Patel not a fan of Impact Player rule

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel says he is personally not a fan of the Impact Player rule, since it limits the contribution of all-rounders.

Speaking ahead of IPL 2026, Axar spoke about his own role within the team, clarifying that the Impact Player rule was not the reason for his limited bowling contribution last season.

"I don't like this rule, honestly, because I am an all-rounder (laughs)," Axar replied, when asked about the rule, which has been in effect since IPL 2023. "Earlier, you would pick an allrounder for batting and bowling. Because of this rule, the team management goes for a particular batsman or bowler, thinking 'Why do we need an allrounder?'

"Since I am an allrounder, I don't like the rule. At the same time, rules are rules and we need to follow them. From a personal point of view though, I don't like the rule."

The Capitals finished just outside the top four last year, with Axar enduring an underwhelming season with the ball. He bowled the least number of overs in a season since 2018 (34), picking up just five wickets at 57.60, his worst average in seven years.

When asked if the Impact Player rule had any bearing on his limited contribution, Axar revealed that the reason was in fact a finger injury.

"The 2025 Champions Trophy was right before the IPL. During CT, my spinning finger sustained a cut: when I was bowling, because of the seam of the ball, it kept getting cut further. It turned into a deep cut. Because of that, I couldn't put pressure and rotation on the ball. I was bowling less because of that.

"I was thinking of bowling only wherever needed and saving my finger. After seven matches, when my finger healed, I resumed bowling. It was not because of the Impact Player rule."

While his bowling is arguably his primary suit, Axar's batting has grown from strength to strength in T20s. The versatility has allowed him to be put into different roles, both for India and in the IPL. In T20Is, he has batted everywhere from No.3 to No.9, and has lately been referred to as "crisis-man".

When asked how he handles the different roles, and whether he has a preferred position, Axar insisted that he is happy to morph into the exact requirement of the team.

"You've seen me be the same for so many years: whatever the team requires, I do that. That's why the tag of crisis-man has come up. I take up the role as per the team's requirement, be it a finisher or a middle-order batter.

"We keep discussing: if a person is scoring four in two, or twelve in two, or 80 runs as an opener: all those roles are important for the team.

"I go with the same mindset again and again: whatever needs to be done, I will play that role. Because if you don't get what you want, you will only get angry and disappointed. And the same thing will affect your game. That's why I keep the team's priorities at the forefront. When you are open to that, you give your 100%. You're not readying your mind for one particular position.

"I am prepared for every role. I am fit to do that. If you don't think that way, you are limiting yourself. And if you don't get what you want, you feel down and don't give your 100%".

Badani offers contrasting view on Impact Player

Meanwhile, Hemang Badani, the DC head coach, had a different perspective with regards to the Impact Player rule.

"Cricket has evolved to a point where 180s aren't sufficient and you will have to have good starts at the top. If you've gone by and seen what's happened at the World Cup in recent times - our skipper winning it for the second time - you've seen scores of 250-240. We've also seen similar scores last year with the IPL," he said.

"I think once we've had that Impact Player, even though the World Cup does not have the Impact Player, I think it's the intent that everyone shows of late. And that will be the way forward with cricket in this format itself," he added.

When asked for an update on Mitchell Starc, Badani said the team is waiting to hear from Cricket Australia.

"With Mitchell Starc, we are waiting to hear from Cricket Australia. We're waiting for the NOC from Cricket Australia. Once we get that, we'll know what's happening and when he'll join us," said Badani.