One of the most influential boards in world cricket, BCCI is all set to introduce the rule of substituting an “Impact Player” from the bench if a team feels it is required based on the course of the game. This rule is mainly used in Football but it is slowly making its move towards the game of Bat and Ball.
Starting from next year, teams from the IPL will be able to take leverage of this rule and field a player in place of another. This rule can benefit teams in case of any Injury or a strategic/tactical change made by the captain or coach based on the context of the game.
Time for a New season 😃
Time for a New rule 😎
How big an "impact" will the substitute player have this edition of the #TATAIPL 🤔 pic.twitter.com/19mNntUcUW
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 2, 2022
The apex body of Indian Cricket has taken this idea from Australia’s Big Bash League, where an “X-factor” player named as the 12th or 13th man on the team sheet can come into the match after the 10th over of the first innings, and any player who has not yet batted or bowled more than one over should be replaced.
The substitute player will be allowed to bowl a maximum of 4 overs even if the replaced player has already bowled. The implementation of the “Impact Player” in India came into practice during the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy with Delhi’s 22-year-old cricketer Hritik Shokeen becoming the first Impact Player in Indian cricket’s history.
Delhi were defending a total of 167 against Manipur and Hritik came on for Hiten Dalal and the former had figures of 2 for 13 in 3 overs with Delhi winning the contest by 71 runs.
The same is about to be introduced in the IPL 2023 and if it becomes successful, we might get to see that change in International cricket as well. It is up to the teams whether or not to utilise an Impact Player. An Impact Player may be inserted at any moment before the 14th over of either innings.
The captain, head coach, and team management must advise the on-field officials or the fourth umpire of the introduction of the Impact Player. Good move by the BCCI?
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