End of impact player rule? BCCI reviews controversial clause as IPL 2027 auction returns to India

New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) players' auction for the 2027 season is slated to be held in India, with league chairman Arun Dhumal expressing a strong desire to bring the event back home after hosting it overseas for the past three years.

The previous three iterations of the auction took place abroad in Dubai, Jeddah, which hosted the mega auction, and Abu Dhabi.

"Every year we try for this to happen in India, but we don't get the venue given the heavy marriage season. So, we definitely want it to be here this year, given that it would be a smaller auction and hopefully we will get the venue," Dhumal, who is expected to secure re-election as IPL chairman during the BCCI Annual General Meeting on 18 September, told Press Trust of India.

The host city for the upcoming player auction will be finalised based on the availability of the BCCI's preferred facility.

During a recent Governing Council meeting, officials also deliberated on the controversial Impact Player rule after the BCCI sought updated feedback from franchises regarding the regulation, which is currently scheduled to remain through 2027.

Several prominent players have voiced concerns over the Impact Player provision, including India ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, former captain Rohit Sharma, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel. The majority argue that the substitution mechanism diminishes the significance and role of genuine all-rounders in T20 cricket.

Prior to IPL 2026, a majority of team captains communicated their reservations to the board, prompting renewed calls for the rule to be abandoned. Dhumal confirmed that the BCCI is open to reviewing the concept.

"The matter is under discussion. Will take a feedback from all the stakeholders and then take a call on this," Dhumal added.

The tactical regulation grants teams the flexibility to make a tactical player substitution at any juncture during a match.

Alongside Dhumal, Khairul Majumdar is also scheduled to be re-elected to the IPL Governing Council on the sidelines of the AGM later this week.

PTI