After being shown the door by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisees, former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson has started singing the praises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Hesson is among the people who have become PSL fans, discounting the IPL.
After the conclusion of the 2025 PSL draft, Mike Hesson took a subtle jab at the Indian Premier League. The head coach of Islamabad United criticized the IPL and its rule. Notably, Hesson has served as head coach of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), director of cricket operations and head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.
Mike Hesson hails PSL, explores IPL’s ‘Impact Player Rule’
Well, Mike Hesson has created a storm with his bold comments about the Indian Premier League. He was particularly critical of the Indian Franchise League’s controversial ‘Influential Player Rule’. Hesson welcomed the Pakistan Super League and made it clear that he does not want IPL’s reign in the Pakistan T20 league.
The former New Zealand coach has openly said that he doesn’t like the IPL’s ‘Impact Player Rule’ but is glad that the PSL doesn’t have such a rule. Hesson pointed out that he does not want the controversial Indian league rule to make its way into the Pakistan Super League.
Mike Hesson said during the press conference after the draft: “I don’t like the ‘Impact Player Rule’ in the IPL and I am happy that this rule has not been implemented in the PSL. I don’t like to compare T20 leagues but that IPL rule is something I don’t want in PSL.”
Mike Hesson said, “I don’t like the ‘Impact Player Rule’ in IPL and I am happy that this rule is not implemented in PSL. I don’t like comparing T20 leagues but that IPL rule is something I don’t want in PSL” 🇵🇰🇮🇳🤯
Do Indian fans agree with this statement? 🥶 pic.twitter.com/sJtDRIju48
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 14, 2025
What is the Indian Premier League’s influential player rule?
Meanwhile, the ‘Impact Player Rule’ has been introduced in IPL 2023, which allows teams to make strategic changes to their playing XI during matches.
Before the match, each team can choose five substitutes, in addition to their playing XI, and they must distribute the ticket by lot.
During IPL matches, the captain can replace one of the XI players with an Impact Player. For example, a team can bring in an extra hitter while chasing a target or bring in a specialist pitcher while defending a target.
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Why did BCCI introduce this rule?
BCCI introduced this rule to make the league more interesting, but many criticized this rule as it affected the growth of all-rounders and their value. Namely, IPL and PSL will clash completely this time, thanks to ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
In fact, the Pakistan Super League has been moved to April-May, as Pakistan will host the 2025 Champions Trophy in PSL’s schedule, which is February-March. While IPL 2025 is expected between March 21 and May 25, PSL 2025 will be played between April 8 and May 19.
