Aakash Chopra pushes for innovation in IPL rules
As the IPL evolves into its 19th season in 2026, former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra has called for bold changes to the tournament’s rulebook.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra argued that a fresh set of regulations could make the league more exciting for players and fans while also setting new standards for global cricket.
Bonus points to replace reliance on net run rate
Chopra’s first proposal targets the points system, which currently relies heavily on net run rate.
“Bring a bonus point. There is a lot of focus on net run rate currently. I feel it does not bring that much thrill on a day-to-day basis. The simple funda is to give a bonus point if you play 20 percent better than the opposing team. If you score 200 runs, stop the opposition for less than 160. If you are chasing 200, do it in 16 overs, which means you played 20 percent fewer overs,” Aakash Chopra said.
He added that such a system could dramatically reshape competition as the tournament progresses.
“Teams will come on odd points and it will become a little more thrilling. One might not feel it that much at the start, but when we reach the business end of the tournament, suddenly it will bring more thrill. Wherever you are in a season, you are never really out of it. A string of wins with bonus points will cover up for a few losses,” he added.
Mid-season transfers to revive unused players
Chopra also pressed for a reimagined mid-season transfer policy to ensure greater use of talent.
“It exists, but it is never exercised. That is mid-season transfer. If you haven’t put a player’s name in your 16-player list, including the sub options, in the first eight matches, make him automatically available. Every team should mandatorily nominate three such players. Can you bring the unused resources to the table to uplift the tournament’s standard?” he continued.
Calls for clarity on leg-side wides
Umpiring standards also came under Chopra’s radar, particularly on leg-side wides.
“My fourth suggestion is about the leg-side wide. If you have watched attentively, there is a line far away from the stumps and another close to them. Can that line be kept as the wide mark? The ball should be wide on the leg side only if it goes outside that. As soon as the ball goes minutely outside the leg stump, it’s called a wide now. Sometimes you feel it’s unfair because it’s not unplayable,” Chopra stated
Substitutes for serious injuries
Chopra further argued for expanding substitution rules to cover injuries beyond concussions.
“You get a like-for-like concussion substitute. Why not do it for a serious injury as well? The BCCI is already doing that in first-class cricket. We are the flagbearers. We restarted the saliva use. Similarly, a replacement for a serious injury, let’s do that in the IPL because we are the path setters,” he observed.
Looking ahead to IPL 2026
In addition to these four changes, Chopra also floated the idea of introducing a Power Surge — borrowed from Australia’s Big Bash League — where batting sides can take two overs of powerplay at any stage. He believes the innovation, combined with bonus points, could transform the league’s tactical landscape.
Whether the BCCI takes up his suggestions remains to be seen, but Chopra’s proposals highlight a growing push to keep the IPL at the forefront of cricket innovation.
