What is Impact Player in IPL: The Complete Guide
IPL’s Impact Player rule in cricket has revolutionized the game, adding a new layer of strategy. With more dynamic factors influencing the outcome, betting has become even more exciting and predictable for sharp bettors.
If you’re still unsure what is impact player rule in IPL, this guide is for you! I have explained it in the simplest way possible. Read it before the next season of the IPL.
In 2023, the IPL got an entirely fresh feel with the introduction of a new rule called the “Impact Player” rule. Many were surprised to see a new player walk onto the field while the match was live as soon as the umpire made a cross-hand signal. Although it is a pretty basic concept, many fans struggled to understand how it works.
Table of Contents
What is an Impact Player in IPL?
In IPL, an impact player is a tactically substituted player who is not originally a part of the playing XI but makes it by replacing one. The role of an impact player is to strengthen a team’s batting or bowling, depending on the game situation. The rule allows teams to bring in a death overs specialist during critical late-game scenarios.
If you know about football, this idea is easy to understand. In football, teams have 3 to 5 substitute players ready. The manager can bring them in at any time during the game. The Impact Player rule in IPL is similar but with some differences. The biggest difference is that in the IPL, only one substitute (Impact Player) is allowed per team.
Before a match starts, each IPL team lists some extra players. From these, one can be used as an Impact Player. For example:
- If a team loses quick wickets, they can bring in a better batsman as an Impact Player.
- If a team is defending a small total and needs more bowlers, they can replace a batsman with a bowler. Teams can bring in a specialist bowler to optimize bowling performance during crucial stages of a match.
So, what is meant by impact player in IPL? The answer is, that an impact player is a substitute player, who can replace a player from the main XI and positively impact the match for the team. It can or cannot be a like-for-like replacement, depending on what the situation demands.
History of the Impact Player Rule: Quick Look
In IPL what is impact player? Well, he is a player who can come in at crucial stages and impact the match result in favor of his team with his bowling/batting. It is indeed a very interesting rule. But was it invented for IPL 2025? No!
Teams submit their team sheets listing the playing XI and substitutes before a match, typically consisting of 18 to 24 players, of which 16 are named as participants in the match.
On March 31, 2023, during the season opener between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, CSK’s Tushar Deshpande became the first-ever Impact Player in IPL history. He replaced Ambati Rayudu in the match.
What is the Impact Player Rule in IPL?
That should explain what is meaning of impact player in IPL.
So, what is the rule of impact player in IPL? For convenience, I’ve gathered the general information into the table below.
| How many substitutes can a team name? | Four substitute players |
| How many Impact Players can a team use? | Only one per match. |
| When can an Impact Player come into the game? |
bowl the remaining balls of an over if substituted mid-over. |
| Can the replaced player return? | No, the replaced player cannot play again or even field. A player replaced by the impact cannot participate further in the game. |
| Can the Impact Player bowl? | Yes, they can bowl a full quota of four overs (if the match format allows). |
| Can the Impact Player bat? | Yes, they can bat, but only 11 players can bat in total. |
| Who can be an Impact Player? | Only one of the 4 substitute players that a team names before the match. |
| Can a foreign player be an Impact Player? |
in the starting XI → Only an Indian player can be the Impact Player.
They can bring in a foreign Impact Player. |
| What happens if the Impact Player gets injured? | If they get a concussion (head injury), the team can bring in another substitute, but it must be a similar type of player. |
| How does this rule help teams? | Teams can change their strategy during the match. If they need more batting, they bring a batter. If they need more bowling, they bring a bowler. |
| When was the Impact Player Rule introduced? | The Impact Player Rule was first used in IPL 2023. |
| Has this rule been used in international cricket? | No, this rule doesn’t apply in international cricket for now. |
What is the use of impact player in IPL?
If you have understood what is this impact player in IPL and what is the rule for impact player in IPL, you already know what is role of impact player in IPL.
The Impact Player rule in IPL helps teams change their strategy during a match. This means that if a team is in a difficult situation, they can bring in a new player to improve their chances of winning. This player can either be a batter or a bowler, depending on what the team needs at that moment. However, there are limitations on using an overseas player as an Impact Player, as teams can only include a certain number of overseas cricketers in their starting 11.
Let’s look at some examples of how the Impact Player rule can be used in cricket matches.
Example 1: MI vs CSK – Team Losing Quick Wickets
Imagine Mumbai Indians (MI) are playing against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). MI is batting first, but they lose three wickets very quickly. Their best batters, like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, get out early. MI is in trouble because they need more runs, but their lower-order batters are not very strong.
The Impact Player rule has significantly affected Indian players, particularly all-rounders, by reducing their opportunities to contribute in both batting and bowling, which raises concerns about the future supply of Indian all-rounders and the overall balance of the national team.
Here, MI can use the Impact Player rule. They can bring in an extra batter to help stabilize the innings. Suppose they bring in Tilak Varma as the Impact Player. He replaces a bowler who would not have batted anyway. This way, MI can improve their chances of winning.
Example 2: MI vs CSK – Defending a Small Total
Now, imagine MI scored only 140 runs in their innings, which is a low total in T20 cricket. CSK is now chasing this target, and MI needs more bowlers to stop them from scoring.
Here, MI can again use the Impact Player rule. This time, they remove a batter who is not needed anymore (for example, Ryan Rickelton) and bring in an extra bowler, like Naman Dhir.
Teams can bring in a specialist bowler to strengthen their bowling attack, especially during crucial stages of the match. Now, MI has one more bowler to create pressure on CSK batters. If this new bowler takes wickets, MI will have a better chance of defending the low total and winning the match.
List of Impact Players in IPL
Now that you know what is the concept of impact player in IPL, let us take a quick look at the cricketers who served as impact players during the last Indian Premier League and played a crucial role.
Indian players have significantly contributed as Impact Players, with many like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar facing challenges in balancing their roles as all-rounders and specialists.
| Fixture | Impact Players |
| CSK vs RCB | Shivam Dube for Mustafizur Rahman – (CSK), Yash Dayal for Dinesh Karthik — (RCB) |
| RCB vs PBKS | Arshdeep Singh for Prabhsimran Singh- (PBKS) and Mahipal Lomror for Yash Dayal — (RCB) |
| CSK vs LSG | Shardul Thakur for Ajinkya Rahane- (CSK) and Devdutt Padikkal for Yash Thakur — (LSG) |
| PBKS vs RCB | Yash Dayal for Rajat Patidar- (RCB) and Jitesh Sharma for Vidhwath Kaverappa — (PBKS) |
| GT vs CSK | Sandeep Warrier for Sai Sudharsan – (GT) and Ajinkya Rahane for Tushar Deshpande – (CSK) |
| RCB vs CSK | Swapnil Singh for Rajat Patidar – (RCB) and Shivam Dube for Maheesh Theekshana – (CSK) |
| SRH vs KKR , Q1 | Sanvir Singh for Abhishek Sharma – (SRH) |
| RCB vs RR, Eliminator | Shimron Hetmyer for Yuzvendra Chahal – (RR) and Swapnil Singh for Rajat Patidar – (RCB) |
| RR vs SRH, Q2 | Shahbaz Ahmed for Travis Head – (SRH) and Shimron Hetmyer for Yuzvendra Chahal – (RCB) |
| KKR vs SRH, Final | Abdul Samad for Travis Head- (SRH) |
Final Words on What is Mean by Impact Player in IPL
In this article, I’ve explained what is a impact player in IPL very simply. I want you to understand what is Impact Player Rule in IPL 2024 before the next IPL season starts. This rule has added new betting opportunities to an already thrilling Indian Premier League! I hope you now understand what is the impact player in IPL and how it helps teams. If you want more IPL updates, follow Parimatch for all the latest news.
Want to make IPL more fun? On Parimatch, you can bet on matches and win money! Who do you think will be the best Impact Player? Bet on him and win big! Now that you know what is rule of impact player in IPL, you can make more accurate predictions. You can also download our app and bet easily from your mobile. Don’t wait—be part of the IPL action today
FAQs
What is the meaning of impact player in IPL?
In the IPL, an impact player is a substitute player. He is not in the main team at the start but comes in by replacing one player. His job is to help the team by batting or bowling better, depending on the match situation.
What is the role of impact player in IPL?
The role of an impact player is to help the team. If the team needs more runs, the team can bring in an extra batter as an impact player. On the other hand, if the team is struggling in the bowling department, the coach can bring in an extra bowler who can pick wickets.
What is impact player rule in IPL?
The impact player rule allows a team to change one player during the match. The new player can bat or bowl. But the replaced player cannot play again in the game.
In which edition of the Indian Premier League was the impact player rule first used?
During the 16th season of the Indian Premier League, this rule was used for the first time.
Does the impact player rule affect the playing XI?
Yes, the Impact Player rule affects the playing XI because one player from the starting XI gets replaced by a new player during the match. The replaced player cannot return or take part in the game again. However, the total number of players who can bat remains only 11.
Who was the first Impact Player in the IPL?
The first Impact Player in IPL history was Tushar Deshpande from Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He was brought in as an Impact Player during the IPL 2023 season opener against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 31, 2023. He replaced Ambati Rayudu.
What is substitute and impact player in IPL?
An Impact Player is a player who comes in as a replacement for another player during the match. In IPL, Substitute Player and Impact Player are the same.
What is impact player rule in IPL in Hindi?
The answer is IPL mein Impact Player ka matlab hai ki ek player ko match ke beech replace kiya ja sakta hai. Agar batting weak lag rahi ho toh ek acha batsman la sakte hain. Agar bowling strong karni ho toh ek bowler daal sakte hain. Ye rule team ki strategy ko aur strong banata hai.
What is impact player in IPL Telugu?
IPL-lo Impact Player ante oka player ni match lo replace cheyyachu. If team ki batting strong kavali ante oka manchi batsman tiskovachu. If bowling improve cheyyali ante extra bowler ni pampistaru. I rule team ki chala help avtundi.
What is impact player in IPL Tamil?
IPL-la Impact Player-na, oru player-ai match-la maathalaam. If batting weak-a irundha, nalla batsman vara poraanga. If bowling strong venum-na, oru extra bowler-a introduce panna mudiyum. Ithu team-ku romba useful-ah irukum.
What is impact player and substitute in IPL, are they same?
Yes, impact player and substitute in IPL mean the same thing.
