What is the Impact Player Rule in IPL 2023

The BCCI has introduced a new rule for the IPL 2023 season called the Impact Player Rule, which marks a major change in the history of the IPL. This rule was implemented in the Syed Mushtaq Ali earlier this year and will now be introduced in the IPL 2023 season. The excitement for the IPL 2023 has already started after teams announced their retained players list.

The Impact Player Rule states that the Impact Player can only be an Indian player unless there are less than 4 overseas players in the Playing XI. If a team introduces an overseas player as an Impact Player in a match, in no circumstance can a 5th overseas player take the field.

Only an overseas player who is part of 4 substitutes named in the team sheet can be used as an Impact Player. Teams need to pick 4 substitutes along with the playing XI during toss time, and out of the 4, only one can be used as an Impact Player. The captain will nominate the Impact Player.

What is the Impact Player Rule?

An Impact Player can be introduced before the start of the innings, or after the completion of the over, or after the fall of a wicket or after the batter retires anytime during the over. A player who is replaced by an Impact Player (“Replaced Player”) can no longer take part in the remainder of the match and is also not permitted to return as a substitute fielder.

The BCCI confirms that an Impact Player cannot act as a captain. An Impact Player can come in place of a retired batter who will be allowed to come later if need be. Both teams are allowed to use one Impact Player per match, but it is not compulsory. It is up to teams whether they want to use the Impact Player or not.

If a player gets injured while fielding mid-over, he can no longer take part in the match if the team introduces Impact Player to replace him.

In case of an injury to the Impact Player during the match, a substitute fielder is allowed to field in place of an injured player only if umpires are satisfied.

The substitute shall not bowl or act as captain. Penalty time for the batting and fielding teams will apply to the player off the field for the substitute as per the playing conditions.

In addition to this, the BCCI has confirmed the IPL 2023 players’ auction date and released the registered players’ list for the auction. “Also note that from IPL 2023 Season, a tactical/strategic concept will be introduced to add a new dimension to IPL, wherein one substitute player per team will be able to take a more active part in an IPL match,” the IPL said in a note sent to franchises on Thursday. “The regulations pertaining to the same will be issued shortly.”

How will the Impact Player Rule affect the teams?

The Impact Player Rule is expected to have a significant impact on the strategies of the teams. The teams will have to carefully select their impact players based on their strengths and weaknesses. The captains of the teams will have to devise game plans around their impact on players to maximize their impact on the game.

The rule will also affect team selection, as teams will have to balance their squads based on the strengths and weaknesses of their impact players. The team dynamics are also likely to change as players adjust to their new roles and responsibilities.

What is IPL 2023 Impact Player Rule?

The Impact Player rule allows the teams to bring in a substitute player midway through the game where teams can make adjustments to changing conditions/playing conditions and can replace the non-performing player. Each team can name 4 substitutes alongside their playing XI.

All teams should announce their four substitutes besides their Playing XI before the first ball of the match is bowled. Among those four, one can be called upon to replace any player in the Playing XI.

Unlike the concussion substitute or the ‘Super Sub’, the Impact Player can bowl and bat. In simple words, the IPL 2023 Impact Player Rule allows a bowler to replace a batter or an all-rounder.

The change, however, can only be made before the 14th over of the innings. Teams should not exceed their limit of 4 overseas players in the XI.

In case a player retires hurt, the Impact Player can be introduced only at the end of the over in progress and is eligible to bat. In any situation, only 11 players can bat.

It is not mandatory for teams to use the Impact Player rule. In the Supersub system that was in place in ODIs in 2005 and 2006, the substitute’s role coincided with that of the player he replaced, which meant he could not bat if the original player was already dismissed, and could only bowl the remaining overs from the replaced player’s quota.

The X-Factor rule, which was tried and then ditched in the BBL in Australia, allowed teams to substitute a member of their starting XI at the halfway point (ten-over mark in a full game) of the first innings, if the player replaced hadn’t already batted or bowled more than one over.

The Impact Player Rule is expected to add a new dimension to the game, as teams will have the opportunity to make crucial strategic changes during the match. It will be interesting to see how teams utilize this new rule and if it leads to more exciting and competitive matches in the IPL 2023 season.

Impact of the rule on the fans

The Impact Player Rule is expected to have a significant impact on the fans. The fans will have higher expectations from the impact players and will be eagerly anticipating their performances. The rule is expected to make the game more exciting and unpredictable, which is sure to keep the fans engaged.

The rule may also have an impact on the popularity of the IPL, as the performances of the impact players may attract more viewers to the game.

Challenges and criticisms

The Impact Player Rule may face several challenges, such as the difficulty of selecting the impact players, the pressure on the impact players to perform consistently, and the possibility of the rule favoring certain teams.

Critics have also pointed out that the rule may result in less playing time for the non-impact players, and it may also lead to a change in the traditional approach of cricket, where each player has a specific role to play.

To address these concerns, the BCCI may need to make some changes to the rule, such as increasing the number of impact players or reducing the pressure on the impact players to perform consistently.

Conclusion

The Impact Player Rule is a new addition to the IPL that aims to add a new dimension of excitement and unpredictability to the game. The rule is expected to have a significant impact on the strategies of the teams, the performances of the players, and the expectations of the fans.

However, the rule may also face several challenges and criticisms, which may require the BCCI to make some changes to the rule.

Overall, the Impact Player Rule is a welcome addition to the IPL, and it will be interesting to see how it impacts the game in the coming seasons.