The Impact Player concept, set to be introduced in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, is likely to be limited to Indian players. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to reveal a clear set of regulations regarding the new innovation to the IPL, but as reported by Cricbuzz, the governing body officials are in conversations with the franchises, indicating that only Indian players can come in as the 12th player or as an active substitute during a game.
The franchises have been conveyed that a team cannot introduce an overseas player in place of another overseas player, and a team would not be allowed to have a foreign player in place of an Indian either.
This is to ensure that the primary rule for the IPL playing XI – that of only four overseas players being a part of the XI – is followed. However, teams have opted to go in with just three overseas players in the past, and the norm in such a case hasn’t been cleared yet.
The BCCI had revealed that the new concept would be introduced in IPL 2023 via a note to the teams earlier this month.
“From IPL 2023 Season, a tactical/strategic concept will be introduced to add a new dimension to IPL, wherein one substitute player per team will be able to take a more active part in an IPL match.The regulations pertaining to the same will be issued shortly,”
BCCI had said in a note on December 1.
While the idea was largely welcomed and acknowledged by the teams, there’s also a concern being raised whether it could dilute the role of all-rounders, with specialists being the more sought after options. Teams can now use a specialist bowler while bowling and replace him with a specialist batter in the second innings, as allowed by the Impact Player rule.
The Impact Player concept was first introduced in this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the BCCI is convinced that the concept is a hit. Delhi all-rounder Hrithik Shokeen became the first-ever Impact Player in the tournament, coming in for Hiten Dalal during a Group B game against Manipur on October 11.
The BCCI sought inspiration from other team sports like football and rugby, wherein substitutes play an active part.
“The concept is to allow one substitute player per team to take a more active part in a match. This would add a new tactical /strategic dimension to the game.
A number of team sports allow teams to make tactical substitutes i.e. football, rugby, basketball, baseball. The substitute is allowed to perform or participate like any other regular player,”
the BCCI had said while introducing the rule in the SMAT earlier this year.
The new rule could have a major bearing on the mini-auction to be held in Kochi on December 23.
While the dates for the IPL 2023 hasn’t been finalized yet, it has been understood that the 16th edition of the T20 carnival will get underway on April 1. The inaugural season of the Women’s IPL is likely to be played from March 3 to 26, a week after the conclusion of the ICC Under 19 Women’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in South Africa.
