Impact Player Rule in IPL 2023: What is Impact Player in IPL – Everything to Know

The 2023 season of the IPL has a new rule called the impact player rule. The impact player rule in the IPL allows teams to substitute one player for the entire match.

We have been hearing about this rule change for a long time, but this time the BCCI decided to bring it to the competition. Just before the 2023 IPL auction on December 23, 2022, BCCI released a press release informing about this change.

“This will add a new tactical and strategic dimension to the game,” said IPL in a press release.

The role of an impact player is to come into the game and perform for their team whenever required. By the time you’re through with this article, you will have all the answers to questions like ‘What is an impact player in IPL winner list’.

Let’s begin!

What is an Impact Player in IPL?

IPL 2023 introduced a new rule this season – Impact Player, a substitute that can come into the bat and bowl. It means that one player can be replaced at any point during the match. 

It’s pretty simple, both teams will have to list five substitutes at the toss in addition to the playing XI. And, when required, they can use any one of the five subs as their impact player. However, if the game is shortened to 10 overs per side, then you cannot use the IPL impact player.

This new impact player rule in IPL allows the teams to select their teams after the toss. According to the rule, the newly substituted player can bowl his full quota of overs. There are all sorts of intricacies to this rule, which we will explain in detail further in the article. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced this change to make things interesting in the IPL. BCCI used this impact player rule as a trial in the previous edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a domestic short-format tournament in India. 

Impact Player Rules and Regulations – Complete Information

Here are the rules and regulations regarding impact players in IPL. 

• A team can bring the impact player at the start of an innings, at the end of an over, at the fall of a wicket, or when a batter retires. 
• If a team is substituting a bowler as an impact player at the fall of a wicket, the player is not allowed to bowl the remaining deliveries of the over. 
• Players who can get injured during a game can get replaced by an impact player. 
• Once an impact player in IPL replaces you, you can no longer play a part in the match. 
• To nominate the impact player, the captain needs to inform the on-field umpire before making a change. 
• If a team names four overseas players in their starting XI, they can only use an Indian player as a substitute. This is done to limit the number of overseas players per game to four per side. 
• If a team starts with three or fewer overseas players in their starting XI, then they can use an overseas player as an impact player. 
• The impact player can bowl their full quota of four overs, irrespective of the player he is replacing. 
• In a game, only 11 players can bat. If the batting team’s impact player is a batter who replaces a batter who has been dismissed/retired, then one of the players yet to come for batting will not bat. 
• The use of an impact player is not mandatory; it is at the team’s discretion whether they want to use the impact player or not. 
•  One of the important impact player rules in IPL is that if the game is shortened to 10 overs per side, then you cannot use the IPL impact player. 

Need for Launching Impact Player Rule in IPL

For the last few seasons, people have started debating whether this tournament has lost its flair or not. The progress of the IPL was stagnant, and fans and experts alike wondered if we could do something to make things more interesting and live in the IPL.

Fans suggested many things on social media to bring forth in the IPL, but BCCI decided to bring forth a rule that is already being used in many other sports. They started contemplating bringing in a substitute player rule. That’s how the impact player rule in IPL came to fruition.

Also Read: Worst Team in IPL History

Advantages and Disadvantages of This Rule

Advantages:

• It makes the match more exciting and challenging at the same time.
• The opportunity for players to showcase their skills and make an impact on the game.
• This rule adds an element of strategy to the game, determining when and where to use it for maximum benefit.

Disadvantages:

• This effectively makes it a 12-player game per side and changes the team balance.
• This rule effectively promotes one-dimensional players. Players having only one specialized skill has been a major negative with this rule.
• Will reduce the need for all-rounders in the IPL.

New Rules in IPL 2023

Here is a brief explanation of how the new rules in the IPL work:

Announcing Playing XI After the Toss

Now, captains can announce the playing XI once the toss is done; there is no need to hand over the team sheet before the toss. Captains are allowed to walk in with two team sheets and choose the one depending on whether the team is batting or bowling. 

Use DRS to review Wides and No-balls

Not only out or not-out decisions, players can now use DRS technology to review the wides or no-balls. Players can challenge the on-field umpire call and ask for a review. 

Slow Over Rate Penalty

The over rate is pretty crucial, and the teams need to start bowling the 20^th over of their innings before the time limit of 90 minutes ends. The penalty for a slow over rate is in terms of the field restrictions. If the bowling team is behind the slow over rate, they will be allowed to have only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for every over not completed within 90 minutes. 

Unfair Movements by Wicketkeeper/Fielders

If the on-field umpire sees unfair movement by wicketkeepers or fielders before the delivery is bowled, then the penalty of five runs will be on the fielding side. And the ball will also be declared dead. 

Suggested Read: Highest Partnerships in IPL History: All Records

Concluding Remarks

So, these are the new rules you need to watch out for in IPL 2023. The impact player rule in IPL is certainly the one that is going to make things interesting. 

Teams will be looking to substitute with the most dangerous batsmen in IPL history in the second innings to use this rule to their advantage. And teams bowling second will be looking to utilize the most dangerous bowler in IPL history to their advantage.

The addition of this new rule will make the IPL more entertaining than ever. Now, all that’s left for us is to watch how the impact player rule will impact IPL.

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