What is the Impact Player Rule in IPL 2023? All you need to know

Ahead of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced a new rule to shake things up in T20 cricket. After thorough discussions, they came up with an Impact Player Rule to make the game more exciting for the spectators and also for the team management. 

Notably, before implementing this new rule in the cash-rich league, BCCI implemented it in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023 and upon the successful use of the same, the governing body confirmed the move. Even though this change is not applicable in international cricket but if it creates a huge impact among the mass, International Cricket Council may end up having a discussion about the new phenomena.

What is Impact Player Rule in IPL 2023? A Complete Guide to it's Purpose and Implications

1. Impact Player can only be an Indian player unless there are fewer than four overseas players in the Playing XI.

2. Only an overseas player who is part of five substitutes named in the team sheet can be used as an Impact Player. If a team introduces an overseas player as an Impact Player in a match, in no circumstance can a 5th overseas player can come into action.

3. Teams need to pick five substitutes along with the playing XI during the toss, and out of five, only one can be used as an impact player.

4. Captain will nominate the Impact Players ahead of the game. 

5. Impact Player can be introduced before the start of an innings or after the completion of the over, after the fall of a wicket or after the batter retires anytime during the over.

6. 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.

7. BCCI confirmed that an Impact Player cannot act as a captain.

8. An Impact Player can come in place of a retired batter who will be allowed to come later if need be.

9. Both teams are allowed to use one Impact Player per match. It is, however, not compulsory. It is up to the teams whether they want to use the Impact Player.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. The substitute shall not bowl or act as a captain.

13. Penalty time for the batting and fielding teams will apply to the player off the field for the substitute as per the playing conditions.