The Indian Premier League (IPL) has increasingly become a batters' paradise, with 200-plus scores and unprecedented run-fests becoming the new normal in the 2026 season.
Amid growing concerns from fans and experts about the diminishing role of bowlers in T20 cricket, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has stepped up with radical suggestions to restore the equilibrium.
Speaking at the ESPNcricinfo Awards in Mumbai, the former India batter outlined three major structural changes to the IPL's playing regulations. Here is a detailed breakdown of Tendulkar's proposed blueprint to save the bowlers.
Scrapping the Impact Player Rule
Introduced ahead of the 2023 season, the Impact Player rule allows teams to substitute a player from their starting XI at any point during the match. While initially
brought in to add tactical depth, Tendulkar made it unequivocally clear that he is not a fan of the regulation.
"I feel there are a few things which, on a personal note that I can say, I think the impact player needs to go away," Tendulkar stated. "I feel when in a T20 format you just have to play 20 overs, and then you are adding one more batter to that line-up. Where bowlers are already being challenged, I find that imbalance. "
Introducing a Tactical "Bowling Powerplay"
To give fielding captains more control over the game, Tendulkar proposed a complete overhaul of the current powerplay structure. Currently, the first six overs mandate strict field restrictions, allowing only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. Tendulkar suggested splitting this phase to offer a strategic advantage to the bowling side.
Under his proposal, "Post that [the first four overs], the remaining two powerplay overs should be determined by the fielding captain as and when he wants to take," Tendulkar explained. "Those two consecutive overs will also get one fielder extra outside the ring at any stage of the game. So you (the fielding side) can control the game better. "
Increasing the Bowling Quota to 5 Overs
In T20 cricket, batters have the opportunity to face all 120 deliveries if they stay at the crease, yet the best bowlers are strictly capped at four overs (24 balls). To rectify this imbalance, Tendulkar recommended that "One bowler should be allowed to bowl five overs. Because invariably the best bowler of the side is going to bowl that fifth over. " He concluded, "Wouldn't you want to see that best bowler bowl more? The top batters are batting sometimes even 20 overs. Why shouldn't the best bowler be bowling five overs?"
As T20 cricket continues to evolve into a heavily batter-dominated format, Sachin Tendulkar's suggestions offer a thoughtful, strategic roadmap to bring bowlers back into the contest. Whether the BCCI and IPL governing council will adopt these radical recommendations ahead of the next season remains to be seen.
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