The mini-auction for the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is around the corner, and all 10 franchises have buckled up to get the best deals. Recently, the players’ auction list was revealed, comprising 991 cricketers (714 Indian, 277 overseas). Out of these 991 stars, 185 are capped players, 786 are uncapped players, and 20 belong to Associate Nations.
Taking a leaf out of Big Bash League (BBL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed to introduce the ‘Tactical substitutions’ rule in the next edition of the cash-rich league.
According to this new rule, teams can replace one member of their playing XI during a match if they think it will be useful. Notably, the Indian board introduced this rule in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – India’s domestic T20 tournament – in October-November.
“Also note that from IPL 2023 Season, a tactical/strategic concept will be introduced to add a new dimension to IPL, wherein one substitute player per team will be able to take a more active part in an IPL match. The regulations pertaining to the same will be issued shortly,” the IPL said in a note sent to franchises on Thursday, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Under this rule, a team can take out any player of its choosing and substitute the said player with one from the bench. It was first introduced in BBL, which allowed ‘X-Factors’. At the midway point of each innings, teams were permitted to choose one substitute instead of someone in the playing XI.
A replacement player can bowl a maximum of four overs, even if the player they’ve replaced has bowled. Further, the use of the Impact Player is not mandatory, and he can be introduced any time before the completion of the 14th over of either innings.
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