'Aur masala daalne ki zaroorat nahi hai' - MS Dhoni's blunt take on IPL's Impact Player rule

The Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a topic of debate ever since its introduction in 2023. The rule allows teams to substitute one of their players at any point during the match, providing an advantage. However, many former players and experts have criticised it, believing that it reduces the role of all-rounders and takes away some of the excitement.

He emphasised that even before the rule’s implementation, IPL matches were highly competitive and attracted massive viewership. He explained that the rule’s impact has been exaggerated, mentioning that high-scoring games are more a result of playing conditions rather than just the extra batter. He also said that despite knowing its potential advantages, the rule does not benefit him personally.

"When it first came out, I said one thing that IPL is in such a good position, aur koi masala daalne ki zaroorat nahi hai (there's no need to spice it up further)," Dhoni said on Jio Hotstar. 

"Games were already quite high-scoring, they were going well, the matches were quite competitive. We have seen it often in this format that matches end in five overs — you lose too many wickets, fail to make proper runs and the opposition wins easily.

"If you lose a few wickets early, more often than not you are out of the game. So, when this rule came, I felt it was not really needed at this point of time because TRP is up, the quality of cricket is good, good players were coming up but it was implemented. In a way, it helps me but it still doesn't help me because I still do my keeping so I am not an impact player, I have to be involved in the game.

"Also, some people are saying that because of the impact player rule, games have become high-scoring. I think it is due to conditions. The extra batter gives you comfort. It's not like because of that extra batter, you have scored a lot."

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old veteran wicketkeeper-batter, once again displayed his brilliance behind the stumps in CSK’s opening game of IPL 2025 against Mumbai Indians (MI). The match saw Dhoni inflict a sharp stumping to dismiss MI skipper Suryakumar Yadav. While fans were looking forward to see Dhoni finish the match in his style, it was young Rachin Ravindra who sealed the win with a six off Mitchell Santner's bowling. The five-time champions won the game by four wickets and added the 2025 campaign on a winning note.