Why Was The Impact Player Rule Introduced In IPL?

Anurag Dasgupta

Impact Player rule introduced in 2023 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.Com] Impact Player rule introduced in 2023 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.Com]

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Ahead of the start of the 2023 IPL season, the BCCI decided to introduce a new rule in the league to spice things up, and it was termed - the impact player rule. The rule states that one player from the team's starting XI could be replaced by any other player midway through the match.

The player introduced can bat and bowl and the player acts as an X-factor for that IPL side. The innovation was introduced by the BCCI ahead of the IPL 2023 and it has divided opinion amongst fans and pundits. While many believe Impact Player rule benefits the side, others have a different take and they feel this rule is killing the importance of all-rounders.

When was the Impact Player rule introduced in IPL?

BCCI first tried out the impact player rule in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2022. It was something different and garnered praise from every corner, and hence, after trial and error in the domestic circuit, BCCI decided to implement it in the IPL, and since the 2023 season, the impact player has dominated the league.

Why was the Impact Player rule introduced in IPL?

The Impact Player rule was introduced to make things interesting in the league. Since the inception of the IPL in 2008, no groundbreaking rule was invented, despite the popularity of the league. However, ahead of the 2023 season, BCCI, the richest cricket board wanted to try out something different and hence this rule came into action.

From where did IPL took inspiration for the Impact Player rule?

The inspiration for the Impact Player rule was taken from the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. Ahead of the 2020-21 BBL season, the tournament introduced the X-factor player rule. 

Under this rule, the 12th or 13th player of the squad could be brought in the playing XI as an X-factor after the end of the 10-over mark. The player shall replace someone from the playing XI who hasn’t been much active in the game. On similar grounds, BCCI introduced the Impact Player rule.