Indian Cricket Board gives a major update on the new ‘impact player’ rule in Indian T20 League 2023
Taking a leaf out of the innovation playbook of the Big Bash League, the Indian Cricket Board introduced the ‘impact player’ regulation in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2022 and is likely to be implemented in the next edition of the Indian T20 League as well. However, the rule is likely to apply for Indian players only.
As per the rule, a team can replace one member of their playing XI with an ‘impact’ substitute during a match in order to improve their chances of winning the contest. The impact sub can either be a batter or a bowler and can help his team change the game. The Indian Cricket Board believes the rule will further help in making T20s more attractive and interesting amid the rising popularity of the game.
“With the ever-growing popularity of T20 cricket, it is imperative that we look at introducing new dimensions which will make this format more attractive and interesting not only for our viewers but also the participating teams from a strategic viewpoint,” the Hindu quoted the Indian cricket board as saying.
“The BCCI would like to introduce the concept of ‘Impact Player’ wherein participating teams could replace one member of its playing XI during a T20 match based on the context of the game,” the statement said.
What is the ‘Impact Player’ rule?
An impact player can be the 12th or 13th name on the team sheet alongside the original playing XI. And teams will have to mention four substitutes or impact players at the time of the toss. The impact player can be introduced only before the completion of the 14th over of the innings. The replacement player can bowl his full quota of four overs and can bat as well.
As per reports, all the franchises have been informed by Indian Cricket Board that an overseas player cannot replace the Indian player and can not come in as a replacement for another overseas player playing in starting eleven. This rule will prevent teams from fielding five overseas players at any given time in the game and will hence confirm with the existing rule of playing a maximum of four overseas players in the match.
Talking about the mini-auction, as many as 991 players, including 277 overseas stars, have registered for the cash-rich league 2023 mini-auction, which will be held in Kochi on December 23, the Indian Cricket Board said on Thursday, December 1.
The Indian Cricket Board did not release the names of the players but will be short-listed in the coming days, ahead of the auction.
