The T20 format constantly demands innovation, be it on the field or off it. The need to keep the public interest alive and kicking is the top priority. The administrators, on their part, look to innovate if only to sustain the public interest. In a bid to innovate, the IPL governing council brought the impact player rule in place in 2023. The rule is simple in that only an Indian player will be allowed to take part in a match at any stage replacing a member from the playing XI. The idea was to spice things up and stoke the tactical acumen of the captains and the leadership groups of the teams.
Any change needs to be given time before the impact it has made is assessed, or for that matter that it is likely to make. Towards the end of the 2024 season, suggestions were made that the rule needed to be reviewed. The main reason for this suggestion was because the impact player rule was not applied in international cricket. Be that as it may, Team India went on to win the T20 World Cup immediately after the 2024 IPL. Things are generally left as they are when such results are achieved. In other words, there is no need to mend what is not broken. Eventually no changes were made and the impact player continued to stay in place in the current IPL edition.
The rule provides a window of opportunity for an irregular player to get a place, however limited it may be. For example, a batter may be sent in bat in the last couple of overs as an impact player. He needs to make a huge impression and make the opportunity count. The only advantage the batter has is that he is given the licence to throw his bat around. A good outcome will be much appreciated while a failure will be accepted if the intent was appropriate. However, the cricketer’s immediate future will depend on the outcome. If the batter ends up striking at 200+ rate and finishes the innings with a flourish, then his stocks soar.
No batter has utilized the impact player opportunity better than Ashutosh Sharma did on a Monday evening. He was desperate for an opportunity and the Delhi Capitals provided him with one. The Delhi Capitals innings was in shambles when Ashutosh was sent into bat. The chase was proving to be a daunting task as half the side was dismissed for just 64 runs. The odds were in favour of LSG when Faf DuPlessis departed in the 7th over, looking to accelerate. Ashutosh had some reassurance as Stubbs was at the other end. But the situation was looking grim nonetheless for the Delhi Capitals. Soon after, Stubbs also departed leaving Ashutosh to battle it out in the company of the lower order batters.
Ashutosh took charge of the situation and demonstrated what exactly power hitting is in the next 13 overs. The pressure was intense and Ashutosh was aware that one mistake could be expensive, personally and for his team. But he was a man on a mission, to make his opportunity count and win the game for his side. The hard-hitting batter dispatched the ball way into the stands repeatedly at will, leaving the LSG bowlers shell-shocked. He picked the right spots to clout the maximums and picked the gaps well to find the boundaries. His belligerent innings was entertaining for the spectators, and his effort provided a shot in the arm in the DC camp. To sum his innings up, if one could ever demonstrate how an opportunity needs to be grabbed, this was it.
A batter might have an advantage of sorts in a T20 format, but Vyshak Vijaykumar proved that a bowler can rule the night with the right temperament. Turning out for the Punjab Kings as an impact player, he stamped his authority with nerves of steel. The Gujarat Titans were chasing a target of 244 and were almost on course to go past the line. During the second half of the innings, the Punjab Kings needed to do something different to disrupt the GT innings. They fell back on Vyshak Vijaykumar and nominated him as the impact player. For a bowler this is a serious challenge, to be warming the benches and then striding out to bowl in a very tight situation. But Vyshak was unfazed and stuck to his strengths to nail the wide Yorkers and the pace off deliveries. To be not on the field and not properly warmed up, it was a risky proposition for a bowler. But Vyshak proved it is a case of mind over matter as he provided great support to Arshadeep to restrict the Titans. He did not pick up any wicket, but being restrictive is equally important in the T20. A great job as it was a high scoring game and the bowlers are generally under the pump in such games.
The impact player might be gradually losing its appeal in certain quarters, but it has proved to be a career launcher in the case of some cricketers. So, the impact player rule is in no danger of being scrapped, at least for now.
Well written my friend…
Correct me if I am wrong, I was of the impression an overseas player too can be an impact player as long as the initial XI had only 3 out of the max 4 overseas players.
You are spot on about how it is being viewed differently over time. As a starter, I saw this as an BCCI’s answer to lack of quality fast bowling allrounders that overseas teams seem to have. I also saw this as a detrimental to the development of allrounders within the country. Most importantly it is quite puzzling to see someone like a Washington Sundar not being picked in the playing XI while he is a regular in the 15 man Indian squad.
But with the emergence of an Asuhutosh or a Vyshak so far this year, makes a very compelling case in favor of it. After all it gives 10 extra players across 10 teams an opportunity to showcase their talent and also the additional talent pool for the selectors to tap in to.
Given BCCI’s might, it is only a matter of time before ICC too embraces it.
You are right.. But the idea was always to encourage the local talent.
Well written on impact player’s impact and importance with recent examples. Super