The Indian Premier T20 League 2022 edition was won by the newcomers Gujarat Titans, who were playing in the IPL for the first time. Although cricket can be described as a team sport, individual brilliance can make a huge difference in cricket. We all have seen some players whose individual score is more than the total score of other team players. 

Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been preparing to make a new tactical substitute for the 2023 IPL edition. The announcement of the recent changes was made on Twitter from the Official IPL page.

The Indian Premier T20 League shared a post on Twitter that says “Time for a New season, Time for a New rule, How big an “impact” will the substitute player have this edition of the #TATAIPL”. This clearly indicates that there will be few interesting changes from the tactical perspective. 

What’s New About Tactical Substitutes?

As of now, it is unknown what exactly will be the rule of a new change, it is not clearly mentioned anywhere about the tactical substitute. However, BCCI has recently tested these new changes in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where each team would be asked to name four substitutes along with 11 players at the time of the toss. 

They don’t have to mention the name of the ‘Impact’ player. Out of those 4 named substitute players, anyone can be used as an Impact player by the team. This player can replace any player from the starting 11 at any point of time before the end of 14 overs of either innings and he/she can complete their full quota of bowling and batting. 

The player who will be replaced by the Impact player will not be allowed to make any impact immediately. If any team wants to make a substitute to bring the impact player, they have to tell the decision to the on-field umpire or the fourth umpire before making a substitute. 

An Impact player can only come on the pitch if a wicket has fallen, after the end of the over, or in injury time. A IPL auction has also been scheduled which will take place on 23rd December in Kochi for the franchise to bid for important players who can make an impact.

What are the advantages of using an ‘Impact’ player?

1. If a team who won the toss and decided to bat first can add a batsman as an impact player to make the innings advantageous.
2. Similarly, a team who won the toss and decided to bowl first can add an all-rounder or bowler as an impact player.
3. It will bring more competition among the players. Previously, the substitute can come on the pitch only if a player is injured, and that too only for fielding. Whereas now, an Impact player would be able to bat and bowl as well.

The decision of allowing Impact players to influence the events of the game will bring more joy to the spectators as it will become difficult to predict who can change the game and who will become the hero of a match. And a game that is unpredictable will definitely fuse in more entertainment for the audience.