The Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) will herald a new concept of ‘Tactical substitution’ or ‘Impact Player’ rule which allows one substitute player per team to play a more active and flexible role in a game rather than a rigid one as promulgated on Friday (December 2). The tactical substitution that is in the offing to make its debut appearance in the forthcoming IPL was tried and tested during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy domestic T20s in the space of October-November this year.
The BCCI put out feelers on the new concept in the domestic circuit however it remains obscure whether the 'Tactical substitute' will have a like-for-like impact compared to the Impact Player rule introduced for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The impact player rule made it permissible for a team to change one player from its playing XI while the game is underway. The nominated impact player could be part of the game at any point but there is a catch as the designated player has to be introduced before the end of the 14th over of either innings after being called up. The new player would get to bat and bowl his entire four overs quota.
Now, according to a report in Cricbuzz, the 'Impact Player' rule could only be applicable to Indian players. The franchises have already been informed about the rule that only an Indian player can be used as a substitute.
The report further added that teams would not be able to use an overseas player for another foreign player and they can't substitute a foreign player even in place of an Indian player. More details on what the procedure will be in case of a team fielding just three overseas players still remains to be seen.
