IPL 2023: The Indian Premier League has changed the dynamics of playing cricket. And it will not be a wrong statement to say that after the success of the IPL, other nations also introduced their own T20 leagues in order to get the same success. However, the IPL still remains at the top of the list. And with two new teams added to the competition, it has become more entertaining. The 2022 edition was one of the best seasons of this cash-rich league.
And now, to make this tournament more interesting. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a totally new rule to the IPL. It will add a new dimension to the playing conditions. After a successful IPL 2022, fans are really excited for the upcoming season in 2023. The BCCI has scheduled a mini-auction for all ten teams to re-arrange their teams for the upcoming editions. Already some big names have registered themselves for the auction, which will surely make this league more grand. On top of that, the BCCI will introduce the “impact player” rule in the next edition.
IPL 2023: What is “Impact Player” rule?
The BCCI tried the “impact player” rule during India’s best T20 competition, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022. And it was applied successfully, which gives the team the best chance to change the situation of the game. The rule allows a team to use a substitute player in the middle of a live match. On Friday, the BCCI said, “From IPL 2023 season, a tactical concept will be introduced to add a new dimension to the IPL. Wherein one substitute player per team will be able to take a more active role in an IPL match.”
The team will name four players who can be used as “impact player” during the game along with their starting XI. However, the team must reveal those four players before the first bowl gets bowled. Out of those four players, one can be used as an “impact player” in the game. He can bat or bowl during the game as a regular player.
Features of “Impact Player” in the game
- As per the SuperSub or concussion substitutes used in 2005 and 2006, an impact player doesn’t need to have the same like-for-like replacement concept. It will have nothing to do with the players who have been replaced. A bowler can also replace a top-order batter.
- This rule doesn’t have any restrictions for the impact player to the time limitation or number of balls or over, he must be part of. A impact player can even replace a bowler who has bowled his four overs, and then the impact player can also bowl his four overs. But only five bowlers can bowl four overs each. On the other hand, an impact player can come to bat at any batting position, whether or not the player he has replaced has gotten out. impact player will play as a regular batter in the side.
- However, an impact player can’t join the team in the middle of an over. Only if the batsman gets out or due to any injury on the field can an impact player join in the middle of an over. But that replaced player will not be allowed to take any further part in the game.
- However, the biggest confusion will occur in the short game. If, due to rain or any other reason, the game gets shortended, then the “impact player” rule will only apply if the game is over 10 overs as per the playing conditions. If the game is reduced to 10-over or below per side, impact players will not be used. Let’s suppose it is an 18-over game, in which case the impact player should come before 13 overs.
- According to the rule, an “impact player” from both sides may join the team before the 14th over. But in case the first team has used the impact player in the first innings and during the second innings, due to rain, the match gets shortened, then the second team can also use the impact player, irrespective of the number of overs to be played.