Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Tushar Deshpande has become the first ever impact player of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Deshpande took the field after CSK posted 178/7 on the board.
Deshpande replaced CSK middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu who will take no further part in the game. The all-rounder right-arm pacer started off with an expensive over in the powerplay overs. He conceded 15 runs as Wriddhiman Shah hit him for a six and a four. Shubman Gill hit him for a boundary as well.
Previously, Deshpande had played a total of seven IPL games and had four wickets under his belt. He had played a total of 43 T20s and picked up 62 wickets at an average of 20.59 including two four-fers.
Earlier, Rayudu had contributed with a run-a-ball 12 at no.5. He was dismissed by on-debut Irish pacer Joshua Little.
For Gujarat Titans (GT), B Sai Sudharsan became their first impact player. GT were forced to make a change as Kane Williamson landed awkwardly on his knee trying to save a six and got injured.
What does the rule imply?
According to the Impact Player Law, teams will have the luxury to switch one played in between the match. Both the batting as well as the bowling side will have a choice to use the rule to their advantage. A captain can introduce an impact player before the start of the innings, at the end of an over, when a wicket falls or a batter retires. However, for a fielding captain, the bowler (impact player) can be introduced after the end of an over. The impact player can bowl the full quota of four overs. For a batting team, an impact player can come in to bat after a wicket or when a batter retires.
There are certain restrictions that franchises need to adhere to before using the Impact Player rule. As teams can only have four overseas players in the playing XI, they cannot replace a non-Indian player for an Indian player if the franchise has already included four overseas players in their playing XI.
In case, a team starts the game with just three overseas players in the playing XI, they will be allowed to field an overseas player in place of an Indian player through the Impact Player rule.
Before IPL 2023, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma spoke about the new addition to the cash-rich tournament and said it will be a learning experience.
"I don't know whether it will impact an all-rounder, an all-rounder will always be an all-rounder. He will give you an option of bowling him anytime and making him bat anytime. Yes, with that 12th player, you can always fill that gap of having a 5th bowler or an extra batter. But you still want to put your best players on the park. There may be a slight difference to it but I don't think it's going to impact so much in terms of having an all-rounder. Like I said, we will see what the other teams do and try and learn from it as well, " Sharma had said in a Mumbai Indians press conference.
ALSO READ:
David Warner reveals Axar Patel's special role as vice captain in IPL 2023, says 'he'll be in control of...'
Watch: Kane Williamson takes a nasty fall on boundary, leaves field with agonising pain in right knee
