IPL Announces New Rule; “Tactical Substitute” System In Play From Next Season

Mumbai: In an attempt to widen the scope and excitement that cricket brings in, the Tata IPL has decided to introduce a substitute player who “will be able to take a more active part in the match”. The new rule will be seen in force for each side starting in the upcoming season (IPL 2023), according to a statement released by the Indian Premier League on Friday. Tata IPL’s official Twitter handle stated, “Time for a New season .. Time for a New rule .. How big an “impact” will the substitute player have this edition of the #TATAIPL?”

Time for a New season 😃

Time for a New rule 😎

How big an "impact" will the substitute player have this edition of the #TATAIPL 🤔 pic.twitter.com/19mNntUcUW

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 2, 2022

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tested the idea of tactical substitutions during this season’s domestic T20 tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The new rule’s specifics have not yet been released. Teams were asked to select four substitutes for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the time of toss, and one of those players could be deployed as an “Impact Player.” Before the end of the 14th over of either inning, the Impact Player might replace any member of the starting XI at any time. He was also given the opportunity to bat and bowl his entire allotment of overs.

The system’s tactical scope was extremely broad, as there was no real restriction on what the substitute could do. As long as the team utilised a total of 11 batters, he could replace a batter who had already been dismissed and still be eligible to bat, or else he could take the place of a bowler who had already bowled a few overs and still get to bowl his complete four.

In comparison to other substitution systems that have been employed in the past, the Impact Player rule provides more tactical flexibility.