BCCI has made official their intention to incorporate the IMPACT PLAYER RULE in the IPL 2023 slated to commence last week of March.
It was first tested in India during the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and upon its success in the domestic event, is set to now be a part of IPL 2023.
The rule is a rebrand of Big Bash League (BBL) X-FACTOR rule which had allowed a special substitution per team in the previous edition of the tournament.
IPL 2023: Impact Player Rule to be exclusive to Indian players
The BCCI in an official note on December 8 said: “From IPL 2023 Season, a tactical or 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”.
IMPACT PLAYER rule in IPL 2023 will allow the franchises to name 4 substitute players along with the playing 11 at the time of toss.
One of these substitutes will be able to replace a player in the playing 11 in the middle of the match: at or before the 14 over mark of either innings. Notably, such substitutions will be allowed strictly at the end of overs (unless there is an injury, or a wicket falls while batting). The rule will not be available if the match is reduced to 10 overs or less.
The player coming on as the Impact substitute will be able to bat like a proper batsman and bowl his full quota of overs. However, as a result, the player that makes way will not be allowed to participate in remaining part of the match at all.
Further regulations regarding the IMPACT PLAYER rule for IPL 2023 are not public as of now, but Cricbuzz reports it will be exclusive to Indian Players.
Overseas players will not be allowed to be replaced from the playing 11, or come on as a more functional substitute under the Impact Player rule of IPL 2023. This is to ensure the 4 overseas players rule of Indian Premier League remains intact.
The local talent that remains on the fringes is set to benefit the most from the establishment of the new substitution rule that will also add to the unpredictable nature of the league.