Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Shardul Thakur has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding the Impact Player rule in IPL 2025 after delivering a match-winning performance against SunRisers Hyderabad. Thakur, who was named Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul, didn’t hold back in voicing his concerns over how the new regulation has tilted the game heavily in favor of the batters.

Impact Player Rule Under Fire from Shardul Thakur

Speaking at the post-match presentation after LSG’s five-wicket victory, Thakur shared his honest views about the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player mid-match, effectively giving them an additional resource. While this has led to explosive batting performances, Shardul believes it has come at the cost of fairness to bowlers.

“Especially after the Impact Player rule came in, it’s not fair on bowlers to see scoreboards showing 250, 260, or even 270 runs regularly. That’s my honest opinion,” Shardul said.

“Bowlers get very little on these kinds of pitches. Pitches should be prepared in such a manner that the game hangs in the balance for both batters and bowlers.”

The Lucknow pacer’s remarks come after yet another high-scoring IPL 2025 game, where SRH managed to post 190/9—considered below par in this season filled with 200+ totals, largely due to the freedom the Impact Player rule offers batting sides.

A Remarkable Comeback for Thakur

Interestingly, Shardul wasn’t even picked during the initial IPL 2025 mega auction. The experienced pacer had already signed with Essex for the English County Championship when he received a surprise call from LSG mentor Zaheer Khan.

“I had made my plans. I signed for county cricket. But while we were playing Ranji knockouts, Mr. Zaheer Khan called and told me I could be a replacement option for LSG. He said, ‘Keep your mindset right. If you join, you’ll likely play straight away.’ That call changed everything.”

Thakur has now justified the faith shown by the franchise. He’s currently wearing the Purple Cap for most wickets in IPL 2025, delivering back-to-back match-winning spells, including dismissals of key batters like Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma.

Tactical Brilliance with the Ball

Discussing his strategy against SRH’s explosive opening pair, Thakur said he focused on using the new ball and exploiting early swing.

“What we’ve seen in the past is Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma love taking chances early. So I decided to take my chances too. If you’re going to win against SRH at their home ground, you have to remove their top order quickly.”

He went on to explain that new ball bowlers still have an opportunity to make an impact—only if conditions are favorable. That’s why his issue lies not just with the Impact Player rule, but also with pitch preparation that favors batters far too heavily.

Growing Discontent Around Impact Player Rule in IPL 2025

The Impact Player rule was introduced to enhance excitement and viewer engagement by making matches more competitive and unpredictable. However, it has led to a noticeable trend: team scores soaring past 250 regularly, putting tremendous pressure on bowlers.

Shardul Thakur’s criticism adds to the growing chorus of players and analysts who believe the Impact Player rule has unbalanced the game. The 18th season of the IPL has already seen the second-highest total in the league’s history—286/6 by SRH—which many attribute to the influence of the rule.

Will the BCCI Review the Impact Player Rule?

With experienced voices like Shardul Thakur openly challenging the Impact Player rule, it’s likely that the BCCI may have to revisit the regulation post IPL 2025. Many believe that while the rule adds excitement, it compromises the integrity of the game by marginalizing bowlers’ roles.

Thakur’s candid remarks could serve as a catalyst for serious discussion, especially as more players express their concerns publicly.