Players like Rohit, Inzamam: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s restricted growth in IPL concerns
The Impact Player Rule Under Fire
The rapid rise of young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) has been one of the tournament’s most exciting narratives. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals, the young southpaw has been in scintillating form, accumulating a staggering 583 runs across 14 matches while maintaining a strike rate that consistently hovered above the 200 mark. However, despite these impressive numbers, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced significant concerns regarding the long-term implications of his usage within the current system.
Manjrekar, speaking on the Sportstar Inside Edge podcast, expressed deep reservations about the Impact Player Rule, suggesting that it serves as a major hindrance to the comprehensive growth of cricketers. Specifically, he highlighted how Sooryavanshi has frequently been deployed as an impact substitute, a role that effectively exempts him from fielding duties and limits his involvement in the game to just his primary discipline: batting.
The Dangers of Short-Termism
Comparing the situation to established stars like Rohit Sharma, who in recent outings has been used primarily for his batting prowess, Manjrekar questioned the sustainability of such models. He argued that the financial rewards and the structure of the league are incentivizing a ‘limited contribution’ culture. “Rohit Sharma scored 22 runs off 15 balls in the last game, and his contribution lasted for 15 balls. He will receive the full match fee. I don’t want to focus on the money part, but when you make easy money without putting in a hard effort, there is a need to question the model. You can’t achieve long-term success by following this trend,” Manjrekar stated.
The veteran analyst emphasized that the essence of the sport lies in being a complete cricketer, capable of contributing across all facets of the game, including fielding and, where applicable, bowling. “Are we ready to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi going the same way? You want to see just one aspect of his game. A cricketer should be allowed to contribute across disciplines. Earlier, we lauded players like Inzamam-ul-Haq for their batting and the other side of them on the field,” he added.
Calls for Reform
The core of the issue, according to Manjrekar, is that the Impact Player Rule artificially isolates a player’s skill set. He pointed out that India has achieved significant success on the global stage, including winning two consecutive T20 World Cups, without ever requiring the presence of an ‘Impact Player’ in international cricket. This, he argues, proves that the game thrives on the versatility of its players rather than specialized cameos.
Manjrekar further noted that while Sooryavanshi’s batting metrics are trending upward, his development as an all-around athlete is being compromised. A player who only comes out to face a few deliveries before returning to the dugout is not being tested in the high-pressure situations that define international cricket. “For me, a cricketer is not there to come to the middle to play a cameo and then sit back to relax,” he asserted.
The Future of Professional Cricket
The argument extends beyond just one player. Manjrekar believes that the current system discourages bowlers from showing their worth in the field and prevents batters from learning the nuances of game management while under defensive pressure. If the goal of the IPL is to produce players ready for the rigors of international cricket, the rules must reflect the realities of the full game.
Ultimately, the call to scrap the Impact Player Rule is a plea to restore the integrity of the sport. By forcing players to contribute to the success of the team through multiple avenues—fielding, bowling, and batting—the game ensures that only the most complete athletes rise to the top. As the BCCI reviews the structural integrity of the league for future seasons, the cautionary tale of Sooryavanshi’s restricted growth serves as a pertinent reminder that in the quest for quick impact, the sport risks losing its fundamental spirit.
