The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 auction will be held in Kochi on December 23 and all franchises have been informed about the new ‘impact player rule’ by the BCCI.
Unlike the 2022’s mega auction, this time auction will feature fewer players – 405 names have been shortlisted out of 991. Among them, 273 are Indians, while 132 are from other countries. All ten franchises will have a total of 87 slots, 30 of which will be filled by foreign players.
Ahead of the auction, BCCI has explained the concept of Impact Player, which will be one of the major rules to be introduced in IPL 2023, to all team owners.
“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,” said BCCI.
Each team can have an Impact Player, which has to be a domestic player and not a foreign cricketer unless there are less than ‘4 overseas stars’ in the starting XI.
BCCI’s rules about Impact Player
- The Captain of the team can nominate the Impact Player.
- An impact Player can only be an Indian player unless there are fewer than 4 overseas players in the Playing XI.
- The Impact Player can be introduced before the start of the innings, or after an over is completed.
- For a batsman, an impact player can be brought in at the fall of the wicket, or the batter retiring at any time during the over.
- A Player who is replaced by an Impact Player (“Replaced Player”) can no longer take part in the remainder of the match and is also not permitted to return as a substitute fielder.
- The BCCI made it clear that the Impact Player can play any role during the game but cannot act as a captain.
- In case an Impact Player is used by a team, and if an injury occurs, the same rule will apply as they currently do under playing conditions.
- If umpires are satisfied that a fielder has been injured or becomes ill during the match, a substitute fielder is allowed to field in place of an injured player. The substitute shall not bowl or act as captain.
- The BCCI has said that teams need to identify the playing XI and 4 substitutes at the time of the toss. Of the 4 substitutes named in the team sheet, only one player can be used as an Impact player.
- The bowling team can also get an Impact Player during the fall of the wicket, but that Impact Player will not be permitted to bowl the remaining balls of the over if the wicket has fallen mid-over.
- Both teams are allowed to use one Impact Player per match. It is, however, not compulsory. It is up to teams whether they want to use the Impact Player or not.