The 'Impact Player' rule may be implemented for IPL 2023

The Indian Premier League is never short of exciting action and drama, but the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) is about to add another layer of mayhem by adding an ‘Impact Player’ for each team. The BCCI recently implemented the provision in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. On Thursday, the IPL’s governing council members had a virtual meeting to discuss the implementation of the Impact Player idea. The option, which is similar to a player substitute in football, garnered excellent feedback from local coaches and players during the recently concluded SMAT 2022.

The BCCI informed the franchises of this new concept’s introduction to the cash-rich league via a note on Thursday. “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 regulations pertaining to the same will be issued shortly,” BCCI said in its note to the franchises. India won’t be the first country to allow such a rule.

Read more: All you need to know about the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup

What is an Impact player?

The rule requires teams to name four substitutes or Impact Players in addition to the starting XI at the time of the toss. During the game, only one of the four substitutions may be used. The player can replace any member of the starting XI at any time before the completion of the 14th over of either innings and bat and bowl his full quota of overs. It is worth noting, however, that the clause does not apply when the game is cut to less than 10 overs for each side.

The BCCI proposed the ‘Impact Player’ concept earlier this year, and it is considered a game changer. The recently finished Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy became the first tournament to use the strategy, with Delhi all-rounder Hrithik Shokeen becoming the first to be subbed in during a league match against Manipur in Jaipur in October.