All ten teams can use an Impact Player as a tactical move in pursuit of winning matches. The rule states that each team will submit four substitutes apart from the Playing XI, after the toss. Out of these 4 players, one can be used as an Impact Player during the course of the match. The Impact Player can replace any player in the playing XI but only before the end of the 14th over of an innings. The captain, head coach need to inform the on-field or fourth umpire about the introduction of the Impact Player. 11 players on each side have been the standard rule of cricket but an extra player can set on the field as an ‘Impact Player’. This is for the very first time that IPL will see this rule as Australia-based Big Bash League has already introduced it. As per the rule, each franchise can rope in an ‘Impact Player’ into the playing team, be it while batting or bowling. All the skippers will be allowed to appoint four substitute players while submitting the team sheets, from which they can be asked to come on the field later. As an impact player, one can do everything such as batting, bowling, and fielding. However, only the Indian player can be the impact player except if the franchise has lesser than four foreign players in the Playing XI. An impact player can be introduced in the game before the start of the innings, or after the completion of an over. If the team is batting, an impact player can step on the field when a wicket goes down or if a batter wants to retire anytime during the over.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has introduced a new “Impact Player” rule that aims to bring an exciting new tactical dimension to the game. This rule allows each of the ten teams to have an additional player, who can be brought into the playing XI as a strategic move to help win matches.
Under the new rule, each team must submit a list of four substitutes along with their playing XI, before the toss. Out of these four players, one can be used as an Impact Player during the course of the match. This Impact Player can replace any player in the playing XI, but only before the end of the 14th over of an innings. The captain or head coach must inform the on-field or fourth umpire about the introduction of the Impact Player.
This new rule marks a departure from the traditional 11 players on each side and has been previously used in Australia’s Big Bash League. It allows teams to bring in an extra player who can play a crucial role in both batting and bowling. Each franchise can appoint four substitute players while submitting the team sheets, from which they can be asked to come on the field later.
However, there are some limitations to the Impact Player rule. Only Indian players can be chosen as Impact Players, unless the franchise has fewer than four foreign players in the Playing XI. Additionally, an Impact Player can only be introduced into the game before the start of the innings or after the completion of an over. If the team is batting, an Impact Player can step on the field when a wicket goes down or if a batter wants to retire anytime during the over.
Overall, the introduction of the Impact Player rule adds an exciting new dimension to the IPL, giving teams more options and strategies to explore in their pursuit of victory. It will be interesting to see how this new rule will be used by teams and how it will impact the outcome of matches in the upcoming IPL seasons.
