Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary former India captain and Chennai Super Kings stalwart, has warmed up to the IPL’s Impact Player rule, viewing it as a natural evolution of T20 cricket. Speaking to JioStar, the 43-year-old admitted his initial skepticism when the rule debuted in 2023 but now sees its value—though he’s quick to clarify he’s no substitute himself.

“When it started, I didn’t think it was necessary,” Dhoni said. “It helps me in a way, but I’m still the first-choice wicketkeeper, not an Impact Player.” The rule, allowing teams to swap in a specialist mid-match, has sparked debate, with critics like Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya arguing it stifles all-rounder development by favoring big hitters. Dhoni, however, attributes the IPL’s run-fests less to the rule and more to pitches and player confidence.

“It’s not just the extra batter driving scores up—it’s the mindset,” he explained. “Teams feel secure with that cushion, so they attack more. Conditions and player comfort matter more than four or five subs.” The Ranchi-born icon, who stepped down as CSK captain in 2024, sees the rule as a confidence booster rather than a game-changer in isolation.

Dhoni’s take contrasts with traditionalist concerns, aligning instead with T20’s fast-evolving ethos. As CSK gears up for IPL 2025, his perspective—rooted in on-field instinct—offers a pragmatic lens on a rule reshaping the league’s DNA, one high-scoring thriller at a time.