IPL 2025: ‘That is how T20 cricket has developed,’ says Dhoni on ‘Affect Participant’ rule

Chennai Tremendous Kings M.S. Dhoni speaks to R. Ashwin in the course of the Tata IPL match towards Mumbai Indians at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on March 22, 2025
| Photograph Credit score: R. Ragu

M.S. Dhoni expressed his tackle the Affect Participant rule, which permits groups to utilise one further participant in the course of the sport, and stated that the high-scoring video games will not be a direct results of this however has extra to do with the circumstances and luxury stage of gamers.

Notably, the impression participant rule has attracted quite a lot of opinions. Whereas it has been hailed by many for serving to groups be extra versatile with their mixtures and get the very best expertise potential throughout a specific match scenario, it has been criticised for hampering the expansion of all-rounders as a result of rise of utilization of specialist batters/bowlers and for making the video games too high-scoring and batter pleasant.

Talking concerning the rule on the ‘The MSD Expertise’ on JioHotstar, Dhoni stated that when it was introduced in 2023, it was probably not wanted. He additionally stated that the rule helps him and doesn’t on the identical time.

“When this rule was carried out, I felt it was probably not wanted at the moment. In a manner, it helps me, however on the identical time, it doesn’t. I nonetheless do my wicketkeeping, so I’m not an impression participant. I’ve to be concerned within the sport,” he stated.

“Lots of people say the rule has led to extra high-scoring video games. I consider it’s extra as a result of circumstances and the consolation stage of gamers. The variety of runs being scored isn’t just due to an additional batsman. It’s concerning the mindset–teams now have the consolation of an additional batter, in order that they play extra aggressively. It isn’t that each one 4 or 5 further batters are being used–it is simply the arrogance of getting them. That is how T20 cricket has developed,” he added.

‘Opposition doesn’t matter’

Talking about if batting towards arch-rivals and five-time champions, Mumbai Indians is his forte, Dhoni stated that the opposition doesn’t matter to him and that he desires to carry out effectively towards all groups.

“Nothing like that. As a batter, I wish to carry out towards all groups. The staff I’m batting against–what does the staff need from me? In accordance with that, you attempt to bat and carry out. I don’t assume so there may be any rivalry. I don’t choose groups as private or franchise rivalries as a result of it simply provides further strain on you. On the finish of the day, should you play towards any franchise and win, you get the identical factors. After all, relying on the place they’re positioned on the desk that time could matter barely extra. However your view must be the identical. You wish to preserve performing and do effectively towards each staff,” stated Dhoni.

“For me personally, the opposition doesn’t matter. Successful the sport issues. That’s the case whether or not it’s Mumbai or every other franchise. However sure, it’s a speaking level. Folks like to speak about rivalries, and it’s good for the IPL as a complete. If you efficiently create a rivalry between two franchises, it turns into like a derby game–where A vs B is all the time an enormous match. You may speak about it, use the stats, have a look at the previous. Now we have been taking part in IPL since 2008, so we now have a variety of stats,” he concluded.

After a win towards MI of their opening conflict, CSK’s subsequent sport shall be towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at their dwelling floor of Chepauk in Chennai on March 28.