IPL 2023 scheduled to begin on 31 March will feature a new rule relating to ‘Impact Players.’ This rule was first used in 2020 by Cricket Australia in the BBL wherein it was called the X-Factor. The Impact Player rule has also been tested in a domestic T20 competition in India in the recently held Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
What is the Impact Player rule?
According to this rule, every IPL team can substitute an existing player already in the playing XI. The incoming player will be the ‘Impact Player.’ At the time of the toss, each team will have to provide the umpires with a list of names of four players proposed to be used as ‘Impact Player.’ Teams can use one of the named players as a substitute for an existing player in the playing XI.
The ‘Impact Player’ must be brought in no later than the 13th over of the innings. The outgoing player will play no further part in the match. He cannot even be a substitute fielder. Before bringing in the ‘Impact Player,’ a team must inform the fourth umpire or the umpires officiating on the field. If the number of overs gets reduced for any reason to 10 overs or fewer, the teams involved will not be allowed to use an ‘Impact Player.’
First Team to implement Impact Player Rule
During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy competition in 2022, Delhi became the first team to implement the ‘Impact Player’ rule. They used Hrithik Shokeen as ‘Impact Player’ to replace opening batter Hiten Dalal. Shokeen responded by taking 2/13 in his three overs. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are two other teams that implemented the rule in the T20 competition.
A Complementary Rule Change
BCCI has also introduced a complementary rule that will allow teams to use the Impact Player more effectively. IN IPL 2023, teams will be allowed to name their teams after the toss. Ordinarily, franchises are required to name their first XI BEFORE the toss. Allowing them to name the XI after the toss will allow a team to decide which player to pick as Impact Player. The decision could vary depending on whether the team won or lost the toss. Thus, team captains would have two lists and decide which one to submit after the result of the toss is known.
A note by the BCCI explaining the rule reads as follows:
“Currently the captains have to exchange the teams before the toss.
“This has been changed to exchange of teams immediately post the toss, to enable teams to choose the best XI depending on whether they are batting or bowling first. It will also assist the teams to plan for the impact player.”
Attempt to reduce Influence of Toss
The thought behind allowing teams to announce their team after the toss is to neutralise the disadvantage of losing the toss. The move was first allowed in the SA20 (South Africa’s T20 league). The results appeared to justify the decision, with toss winning captains winning only 15 out of 33 matches played. On 16 occasions, matches were won by the toss losers, while two matches ended without result.
In the IPL, the dew factor can influence the outcome of a game. The team batting second has an edge with bowlers finding it hard to grip the ball. Thus, in 2019, when the IPL was played using the home-and-away format, 34 of 60 games were won by the toss winning teams.
The new rule allows teams to make changes to team based on the outcome of the toss. For instance, a toss winning captain on a spin friendly wicket could choose to play an additional spinner to defend a low target.
More Rule Changes in IPL 2023
IPL 2023 will witness a few more changes to the rules that were in effect in IPL 2022:
Penalty for Slow Over Rate
To penalise teams for a slow over rate, they will not be allowed more than four fielders beyond the 30-yard circle. This will apply for each over going beyond the allotted time.
Penalty for Unfair Movement of Fielders
If the wicketkeeper is seen to move unfairly during a delivery, the umpire will declare a dead ball and award five runs to the batting side. Similarly, any fielder moving unfairly while a ball is being bowled will cost his team a dead ball and five penalty runs.
Review for Wides and No Balls
In IPL 2022, team reviews were restricted to challenging ‘not out’ and ‘out’ verdicts by on-field umpires. In IPL 2023, teams will also be allowed to review no balls and wides.
Conclusion
The changes in the playing conditions for IPL 2023 could make the competition more hard-fought and exciting. If you are looking to bet on the 2023 IPL check out our best cricket betting sites in India.
