Explained: The Impact Player rule set to be introduced in IPL 2023

After a successful trial run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the BCCI announced a major change for the upcoming season of IPL and it is the concept of an impact player. In the 2023 edition of the franchise extravaganza, the teams will be allowed to name one impact player who can be introduced midway in the game to potentially change the complexion of proceedings.

BCCI’s statement on Friday read, “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.”

Definition:

The Impact player rule was first introduced in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with both sides making the most of this move. In case of an impact player, the team will need to name four substitutes before the first ball is bowled. Among these four players any one cricketer can be brought on as a substitute before the 14th over. He will be able to bowl or bat his full quota of overs like all the others present on the field.

Features:

- The impact player's role will not entail anything from the player being replaced. In simple terms, unlike concussion substitutes or Supersub concept that was used in ODIs between 2005 and 2006, an impact player can be of any role. A batter can be substituted for a bowler while a bowler can be substituted by a batter or an all-rounder. There are no restrictions on the substitute's role.

- The impact player can play or bowl any number of deliveries. There is no restriction whatsoever in terms of the player’s tenure in the middle, however, they must be introduced ahead of the 14th over. For instance, if the player replaces a bowler, even if the latter has completed his full quota, the substitute will be able to bowl his quota of 4 overs. Even for a batter if he is dismissed, he can still be replaced by another batter as long as only eleven batters are playing.

- An impact player cannot be introduced in the middle of an over unless he is coming in to bat at the fall of a wicket or he is replacing a fielder who is injured. In the second case, the replaced injured player can't take further part in the match, not even as a substitute.

- In case of rain-curtailed encounters, the rule takes a complicated turn. An impact player can't be introduced if the game is reduced to 10-overs-per-side. If it's more than 10 overs, then the impact player can be brought on according to the match rules. For example, in the case of an 18-overs-per-side match, an impact player will have to be introduced before the end of the 13th over. In another instance, if the game gets shortened after one side has already used the impact player then the other team will be allowed to use it irrespective of the number of overs the game has been reduced to.