Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has put forward three significant changes to the T20 format, all aimed at restoring the balance between bat and ball. Speaking at the Cricinfo Honours event, the former India captain said he would like to see the Impact Player rule scrapped, proposed a Big Bash League-style Power Surge, and suggested allowing one bowler to bowl five overs in an innings.
The Impact Player rule, which was introduced in the IPL in 2023, has been a topic of debate among players and experts. Since its introduction, scoring rates and team totals have reached record levels, with many bowlers arguing that the rule has tilted the game heavily in favour of batters. The trend has been further amplified by increasingly batting-friendly pitches.
“The Impact Player needs to go away. That is my personal opinion. I feel, in a T20 match, you just have to play 20 overs, and then you are adding one more batter to that lineup where bowlers are already being challenged,” Tendulkar said.
The Master Blaster also suggested introducing a Power Surge system similar to the one used in Australia’s Big Bash League. Under his proposal, the first four overs would remain a traditional powerplay with fielding restrictions. The fielding captain would then have the option of choosing when to use the remaining two overs of field restrictions later in the innings.
“The second one, maybe a suggestion, the powerplay of six overs with field restrictions; let the first four overs be a batters’ powerplay. Post that, the remaining two should be determined by the fielding captain whenever he would like to take them. He will also get one fielder extra outside the ring at any stage of the game,” Tendulkar explained.
His third recommendation focuses on giving bowlers a greater role in the shortest format. Tendulkar believes teams should be allowed to let one bowler deliver five overs instead of the current four-over limit.
“And one bowler should be allowed to bowl five overs. Invariably, the best bowler of the side will take that fifth over. Wouldn’t you want to see your best bowler bowling more? The top batters bat even 20 overs sometimes. Why shouldn’t the best bowler be bowling five overs?” he added.
The debate around the Impact Player rule is expected to continue, with the BCCI already indicating that it will review the regulation after the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season.
