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The Indian Premier League is one of world cricket's most extravagant T20 tournaments. Cricket's heart beats differently when the IPL explodes onto the scene. While the tournament is meant to entertain millions with its high-octane action, it also thrives on innovation. Among the many changes introduced to the league in the 2023 season, the Impact Player Rule has been mentionable and much talked about.
What is the 'Impact player rule?'
For those unfamiliar with the rule, 12 players can be involved in the batting or bowling duties of a match from each side (without using the Concussion Substitution rule), with one player getting subbed on for another. Thus, if a team is batting first, it can have one extra batter in the line-up, who a specialist bowler can substitute in the second innings, and vice versa if the team is bowling first. As usual, the total number of overseas cricketers used in every match will be four; if the original line-up has three overseas cricketers, only then can you sub on another at any point of the game.
While some say that the rule adds a lot more excitement to the already intense contest in the IPL, as we end the first half of the second season with the rule, many have pointed out its cons.
Does the Impact Player rule affect the scoring spree?
In the 2024 season, the runs have been raining like never before. A record of the highest IPL total by RCB (263/5), which seemed almost impossible to touch for about ten years, looks like a pretty ordinary total now, as we have already seen teams crossing the figure four times this season. Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen have converted the Sunrisers Hyderabad to 'Runrisers' Hyderabad. There have been many other high-scoring games this season, and we've also seen the highest successful IPL run-chase. Actions and milestones like these bring more action, more social media attention and a higher TRP, but it is a bit monotonic sometimes. Sunil Gavaskar said the run-fest has been "A little not-so-exciting" this season, as he used the term in the commentary box while explaining the overall situation.
With impact substitution in mind, the batters can bat more freely, knowing that the batting line-up is deeper now, or at least a bit deeper than what you get in an international T20 match. The fact that there's one extra batter gets you more freedom, particularly in the powerplay, and the teams have adapted quickly to the mindset. Thus, the batters have more freedom and courage to use a T10-esque approach, and the bowlers must deal with more aggression.
Is it limiting the role of an all-rounder?
The rule also limits the role of a pure all-rounder, or the kinds of all-rounders who are neither a must-have as a batter nor as a bowler but can have enough impact in both roles combined.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, recently addressed the issue publicly on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast. He stated, "I'm not a big fan of the Impact Sub rule. It is going to hold all-rounders back. Eventually, cricket is going to be played by 11 players, not 12." According to him, the fact that Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar are not getting to bowl is not a good thing.
As things stand, the IPL officials introduced the rule thinking about the entertainment factor, but many cricketers and coaches have started thinking about the game and the players. The pros and cons are there; the rest depends on the IPL governing body's decision on how the Impact Player Rule shapes the tournament's future. Will it be a permanent thing or a fleeting fad that gets tweaked or removed entirely? Only time and the data collected through this and potentially upcoming seasons will tell.