In 2023, the Indian Premier League (IPL) introduced one of the most innovative rule changes in cricket the “Impact Player” rule, also known as the substitute player rule.
The IPL has always had unique rules that differ from the standard Laws of cricket and other Twenty20 leagues. This new rule added a fresh tactical element, enhancing the strategic depth of the world’s most-watched T20 league.
For the first time in IPL history, teams could use a substitute player. In this article, E2bet dives into the details of this modern cricket rule to explain how the substitute player rule works in the IPL.
Substitutes in Cricket
Substitute rules in cricket are defined under Law 24 of the Laws of Cricket.
Cricket’s origins date back to the 16th century, but for most of its history, First-Class cricket did not allow substitutes to bat or bowl. It wasn’t until recent times that tactical substitutions were introduced to the game.
Unlike other major sports like football, rugby, or basketball—where substitutes have always played an integral role—cricket traditionally only allowed a 12th man to replace an injured or ill player, but only as a fielder. The substitute could not bat, bowl, or captain the team without special agreements between the captains.
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Until recently, even if a substitute took a catch or affected a run-out, the scorecard would record it as ‘caught sub’ or ‘run out sub.’ This changed with the introduction of new substitute rules.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a ‘Concussion Substitute’ rule in 2019, permitting like-for-like replacements for head injuries. This was the first step toward modernizing cricket’s substitution laws.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICC approved a rule allowing players who tested positive for the virus to be replaced by a like-for-like substitute for the remainder of the series. However, unlike in the IPL, the substitute had to match the skills of the replaced player, meaning a batsman could only be substituted by another batsman.
The IPL’s “Impact Player” rule goes beyond these restrictions, allowing the substitute to bat and bowl, marking one of the most transformative changes in cricket history.
How Does the “Impact Player” Rule Work in the IPL?
Introduced in the 2023 IPL season, the “Impact Player” rule allows each team to make one substitution during a match. The substitute can be brought in at any point before the 14th over of either side’s innings, but once substituted, the replaced player can no longer participate in the match.
Teams must declare a list of four potential substitutes before the toss, and the replacement can be made under specific conditions—before the start of an innings, at the end of an over, after a wicket falls, or if a batter retires.
If a team has already named four overseas players in its playing XI, the substitute must be an Indian player. The “Impact Player” is free to bat and bowl their full quota of overs.
Substitutions by the bowling side come with one restriction: if the substitute enters after a wicket or retirement, they cannot bowl the remaining deliveries of that over.
Teams are still limited to using 11 batsmen in the match, meaning if the substitute is used to bat, one of the original players who hasn’t batted will not do so.
FAQs
When was the “Impact Player” rule introduced in the IPL?
The “Impact Player” rule was introduced in 2023.
How many substitutes can a team make during an IPL match?
Each team can make one substitution per match.
What is the umpire signal for “Impact Players” in the IPL?
The umpire signals an Impact Player by crossing their hands above their head and clenching their fists.
What is the IPL Substitute Rule in Hindi?
प्रतिस्थापन नियम के तहत, आईपीएल में टीमें किसी खिलाड़ी को चोट या बीमारी के विशेष मामलों में मैच के दौरान बदल सकती हैं।
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