Cricket modified: The Impact Player Rule

Cricket has evolved a lot over the years. Earlier, it was prominent for red ball cricket when ‘gentlemen’ used to dorn their white jerseys for five day games. But now, as the limited overs game is gaining more popularity, the sport is inclining more towards white ball cricket. Spectators, too, prefer watching shorter formats as these are less time consuming and provide a more exciting experience.

ICC, the body that administers cricket around the globe, is too, moulding rules in such a manner that the game gets explosive and batter friendly. For example, the number of fielders permitted outside the inner circle in death overs is reduced from 5 to 4. This helps a lot in freely lofting the ball as batters get more chances of hitting in the gaps. Similarly, earlier a one day game was played with a single ball and that ball was used throughout the innings, but now, with the amendment of rules, two balls are used, one from from each end, permitting the ball to stay fresh throughout the innings. This step too has largely benefited batsmen as it's relatively harder to hit with an old ball than with a semi new ball. Moreover, bowlers have lost the leverage to reverse swing the ball. 

Just like these two small changes, many more changes have been welcomed in the past, which were largely in favour of batsmen, BCCI too brought a small rule in IPL 2021 that was totally against the basic rule of the sport. The rule of Impact players. 

What is the Impact Player Rule?

Impact player rule allows a team to use 12 players instead of 11. It implies that a team can substitute one player with another during the course of the game. Thus, it allows 12 players to participate in the game. The player substituted can not re-enter the field as he/she has been replaced. This rule authorizes the skipper to use an additional batsman or a bowler. 

Impact Player rule was introduced with the aim to improve the quality of cricket for both batsman and bowler but eventually it has benefited the batters more. 

The teams use this rule to gain maximum benefit as they are taking full services from 12 players. For example, a team is batting first and they have used a batsman in their playing XI, but after the innings break, they can replace that batsman with a bowler. Thus, the rule provides greater options to the management. 

Another great perk of this rule is that it promotes power hitting. Players are freely scoring runs. Now they are more focused of hitting powerful strokes rather than merely timing the ball. 

Origination of Impact Player Rule 

Impact player rule started in IPL 2023. The first impact player was Tushar Deshpande from Chennai Super Kings as he replaced Ambati Rayadu in a match against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium. The rule originally came from Big Bash League. It is termed as X-factor rule there and it started in 2020-21 BBL season. 

As of now, Impact Player rule is confined to IPL only, they can consider applying the same rule to WPL as well.

How is it different from concussion substitutes?

The Impact Player Rule is different from the concussion substitute rule. The former is a voluntary move while the latter is a forced move. Under concussion, a player is replaced by another one if he/she is injured. The substitute player can then participate in the rest of the game. Another major point of difference is that concussion substitution is permitted in ICC matches, while such is not the case in impact player substitution. 

Repercussions of Impact Player Rule 

We have already elaborated the benefits of impact player rule. But now, let’s throw some light on the other end of the spectrum, the repercussions of the Impact Player rule. It is a popular opinion that this rule has disrupted the balance of the game. It is one of the prime reasons why teams are scoring 250+ runs in an innings. Players know that they are playing with an extra batsman and that they have an extended batting order now. This is giving them the liberty to smash balls right from the start, and thus, it is the reason why teams are scoring such massive totals. 

One other thing that shall be pointed out is that this rule is not accepted in international cricket, hence, it is not helping in the development of the sport. It’s only helping in generating money as people are more interested in following the sport than ever before. Hence, it is not a tactical move to boost the sport but a financial move to generate money. 

The elite opinion

Current and ex players have vivid opinions about this rule. Some feel that this rule has evolved the game. While, others feel that it is ruining the true nature of the sport. Popular Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli, feels that this rule shall be discontinued as it is disrupting the balance of the game. Similarly, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expresses his disapproval stating that it is hampering the growth of all rounders. Axar Patel, too,  claims that his batting position has been hampered due to the newly introduced rule. 

On the contrary, Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting are supporting this rule, they feel that quality all rounders will sustain no matter the rules. 

Will the Impact Player rule continue in IPL 2025? 

The BCCI is yet to take a comprehensive decision on the matter. However, players have urged the board to discontinue such rules.  Now the ball is in the court of the board as they have to take a call considering the interest of all the stakeholders.