Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has suggested that an award should be given to the most economical bowler of the match in IPL 2026. Chopra recalled that Jasprit Bumrah won India the semifinal T20 World Cup 2026 game against England.

Bumrah conceded only six runs in the 18th over he bowled when England needed 45 runs off the last three overs. The gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 1-33 in his quota of four overs when a total of 499 runs were scored in the match.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson was awarded Player of the Match for scoring 89 runs in the semifinal but he later admitted that Bumrah deserved the award.

“I would say you should keep one because this has become a slightly batter-friendly sport, and in that, many times the most economical bowler wins you the match,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“In fact, even if you remember, against England, that six-run 18th over from Bumrah changed the game. That won you the semi-final. So I am with you on that one,” he added.

Speaking on the impact player rule, Chopra said it gives opportunities to 10 more Indian players and a weak bowler would not be forced to bowl at any stage.

“I feel the standard of the game improves a little. 10 extra Indians get a chance. An opportunity comes in a match where you can bowl an over from a weak bowler. That doesn’t happen now. Now that weak over is not allowed. If you are Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy or Hardik Pandya, you will have to bowl the difficult overs,” he responded.

“A proper all-rounder, who bats and bowls equally, will stay now. He will be relevant and extremely valuable. He will always remain a part of the XI. However, if you are a slightly 50-50 kind of all-rounder, especially from the bowling point of view, no one makes you bowl, and instead they bring someone from outside, who is an Indian,” Chopra observed.

The IPL 2026 season will begin with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ahmedabad on March 28.