Impact Player Rule in IPL - All You Need to Know About This Rule

The BCCI tested the Impact Player rule during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in October-November 2022, before introducing it for the IPL 2023 season. The Impact Player rule will continue to be implemented in IPL 2024 as well.

What is Impact Player Rule in IPL?

As per the Impact Player rule, each IPL team can designate five substitute players in addition to their starting XI before the match begins. During the match, the captain can choose one of these substitutes, known as the Impact Player, to replace a player from the starting XI. 

Here's a breakdown of the Impact Player concept in IPL:

Selection: Before the toss, each team nominates five substitute players in addition to their playing XI.

Activation: During the match, at any designated break (start of innings, between overs, fall of wicket, or batter retirement), the captain can choose one of these substitutes to replace a player from the starting XI.

Impact: The Impact Player can then bat and bowl their full quota, just like any other player.

Restriction: Only one Impact Player can be used per match, and a maximum of 11 players can bat per innings.

Key point: The Impact Player rule allows teams to adapt their strategy based on the match situation. For example, they might bring in a specialist bowler if wickets are falling quickly, or a powerful hitter if they need to chase down a big target.

List of Impact Players Used in IPL 2024 (updated after KKR vs PBKS match)

KKR vs PBKS Match 42 IPL 2024 KKR used Anukul Roy (BOWL) as the Impact Player in place of Venkatesh Iyer (BAT). Venkatesh made 39 runs and Roy had figures of 0/36. For PBKS, Prabhsimran Singh (BAT) replaced Arshdeep Singh (BOWL). Arshdeep had figures of 2/45 while Prabhsimran scored 54 runs with the bat.

When can the Impact player be introduced in the match?

The Impact player can be introduced at any point during the match in the IPL. An Impact Player can be brought in before the start of an innings, at the end of an over, at the fall of a wicket, or when a batter retires. 

If the impact player is a bowler who comes in at the fall of a wicket, he is not allowed to bowl the remaining balls of the over. He can bowl only the next over at the earliest. 

What role can the Impact player play during the game?

The Impact Player can bat any number of overs or bowl his full quota of four overs, irrespective of the player he is replacing. For example, the batting team can name an extra batter in the first innings and replace him or any other batter to give the team an extra bowling option in the second innings. If a team is bowling first, an extra bowler can be used in 1st innings and replaced by a batter in the run chase.

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When can the impact player be Indian and overseas?

If a team has four overseas players in the starting 11, they will not be allowed to name an overseas player as an impact player. This has been done to limit the number of overseas players to four, an IPL rule since 2008. However, if a team has less than four overseas players in their original playing 11, an overseas cricketer can be used as an impact player. 

Is it necessary to use the Impact Player in the match?

Bringing in the "Impact Player" during the match is not compulsory. Teams can decide whether they want to use the Impact Player or not. However, an Impact Player can not be used if the game is shortened to less than 10 overs per side. 

What happens to the player replaced by the Impact Player?

Once replaced by the Impact Player, a player will play no further part in the remainder of the match. The replaced player cannot even come on the field as a substitute fielder later in the game.

Can an Impact Player be substituted in case of injury or concussion?

Once the Impact Player comes into the team's playing 11, typical injury or concussion rules will apply. In case of injury, a substitute can be named with batting and bowling restrictions, and in case of concussion, a like-for-like replacement will be allowed.

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FAQs

How many impact players can be used in one IPL match?

A maximum of 1 impact player can be used in one IPL match out of the five substitutes named by each team during the match.

Can we use impact player in both innings?

Yes, an impact player can be used in both innings. The impact player can come in the first innings and stay in the playing 11 for the rest of the match.

How many times can we use an impact player?

Each team can use the Impact Player only once in the match. It can happen anytime during the game.

Can a foreign player be an impact player in the IPL?

Yes, a foreign player can be an Impact Player in the IPL if the team's starting 11 has three or fewer overseas players.

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