What Is Impact Player Rule In IPL?

Saksham Chugh

image-lq16e5b8Umpire signalling for the Impact substitute [x.com]

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As we gear up for the 17th season of one of the most prestigious leagues in the cricket world, the Indian Premier League, let's go through the impact player rule, which was introduced in the last season. While the rule is still fresh and isn't applicable in international cricket, the fans should be reminded of how it actually works. 

Before the introduction of the 'Impact Player' rule in the IPL 2023, the BCCI trialled the same in India's premier domestic T20 tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and it went well for all the teams. 

Even in the IPL 2023, the rule helped a lot of youngsters to be a part of the league, as the rule allows the teams to play 12 players in a game.


What is 'Impact Player' rule?

This rule allows the teams to play an extra player in the game. At the time of the toss, the captains have to name five extra players along with their starting eleven. 

During the course of the game, the teams can opt for one of those five players to replace anyone from the playing eleven after he is done with his bit. Both teams will be allowed to use the Impact substitution once during the game.


How does it fit with the policy of playing only 4 foreigners?

While the Impact Rule allows a side to replace a player from the playing eleven, it does not permit them to play with the services of five foreigners. 

If a team has named three foreign players in their starting eleven, they can replace any player with a foreign substitute. But if the team has already named four foreigners in the starting eleven, it can only replace any player with an Indian player.