BCCI Set To Introduce Substitute ‘Impact Player’ In Its T20 Tournaments, Including IPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will apply the “Impact Player” regulation in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy beginning on October 11 and is expected to do the same in the next Indian Premier League, taking a page from the Big Bash League’s innovation playbook. 

Teams are allowed to make one substitution from their starting XI during a game if they believe it would help. The board will test the new rule in state cricket to give teams and players time to get acquainted to it. 

It Is Imperative That We Look At Introducing New Dimensions: BCCI

The BCCI stated the following in a circular that it distributed to all state associations and that The Indian Express has access to: “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 idea of an Impact Player, according to the board, will allow one replacement for each team to participate more actively in a game. This would give the game a fresh tactical and strategic component. 

“Teams need to identify playing XI and 4 substitutes at the time of the toss. Out of the 4 substitutes named in the team sheet, only one of the players can be used as an Impact player,” the BCCI circular stated. 

In Australia’s Big Bash League, a “X-Factor Player” who is either the 12th or 13th player listed on the team sheet is allowed to enter the match after the 10th over of the first innings and replace any player who has not yet batted or bowled more than one over. 

Even if the player they replaced has already bowled, the replacement player is only allowed to bowl a total of four overs. 

Using Impact Player Not Necessary

The decision to utilise an impact player is up to the teams; they are not required to do so. Anytime before the end of the 14th over of either inning, an Impact Player may be used. The fourth umpire or the on-field officials must be informed of the entrance of the Impact Player by the captain, head coach, and team manager.

“Player who is replaced by an Impact Player can no longer take part in the remainder of the match and is also not permitted to return as a substitute fielder. If a player gets injured while fielding in mid over, the current playing condition prevails under 24.1 – substitute fielders,” the circular adds. 

If the team substitutes an Impact Player for an injured player, the injured player is no longer permitted to participate in the game. If not, an Impact Player can only be used after an over is finished. However, if a team uses an Impact Player and an injury happens, the same rule will apply as it does now while the game is in progress. 

Impact Player Can Be Introduced Only At The End Of Over In Progress

The Impact player can be introduced for the batting team either at the fall of a wicket or during the innings break. In this case, the team must inform the fourth umpire. 

The circular reads, “After the introduction of Impact Player in game, a player can bat and may bowl a full allotment of 4 overs in an uninterrupted innings.

In case a player gets retired hurt, Impact Player can be introduced only at the end of the over in progress and is eligible to bat. In any situation, only 11 players can bat.”

The BCCI provided a scenario to illustrate the rules: a side that has been given the opportunity to bat loses a lot of early wickets and wants to add to their batting depth in order to achieve a difficult score. As a result, it might substitute an Impact player for a dismissed batter. 

The opposing side might choose to introduce an Impact Player who gives more bowling options or delay their Impact Player change until the innings break in order to improve their depth at the plate. 

An Impact Player May Bowl A Full Allotment Of 4 Overs

A bowling team may introduce their Impact Player towards the conclusion of an over or in the event that a fielder is hurt in the middle of one. 

“An Impact Player may bowl a full allotment of 4 overs in an uninterrupted inning irrespective of the number of overs previously bowled by the player he is replacing. If a bowler is suspended because of any breach of law, then he cannot be replaced by the Impact Player,” the circular states. 

However, no Impact Players may be used if a delayed start decreases the total amount of overs to fewer than 10 per innings prior to the start of the game. 

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