IPL 2026 | 'I don't think there should be an impact player...': Gujarat Titans' skipper Shubman Gill

"Personally for me, I don't think there should be an impact player. I think cricket in general is an 11 players' game and on wickets where we play on the grounds that we play, adding an extra batsman is I think it takes the skill out of the game," he said.

Further speaking, he said that there is a certain skill that a player needs to have to keep the scoreboard moving despite losing a few wickets.

"There's a certain skill in the game that you need to have. When you have a certain amount of batters and if a couple of your batters get out, there's an amount of skill that you need to have to still get the scoreboard moving and get your team to a good score," said Gill.

The skipper then explained how the chasing becomes exciting without the inclusion of the 'Impact Player'.

"With that one extra player, it's making the game more one-dimensional and it's taking a little bit of the skill out of the game. Chasing 180 on a challenging wicket or 160 on a challenging wicket is for me, it's personally way more exciting than chasing 220 on a flat wicket," he explained.

He concluded by saying that the discussion about the rule was also conducted during the captain's meet pre-tournament.

"It's gonna be there till 2027. It's something that we also spoke about in the captain's meeting yesterday. I understand it makes the game a bit more entertaining, but let's see. It's there. It's up to them what the BCCI is going to do, they're gonna take their decision, but personally I don't like it," the 26-year-old cricketer signed off.

IPL 2026, Gujarat Titans: First match's date and venue

GT will begin their IPL 2026 campaign by playing a clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on March 31 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.

(With PTI Inputs)

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