Chennai become first team to use ‘Impact Player’ rule in Indian T20 League history as Tushar Deshpande replace Ambati Rayudu

The much-awaited 16th season of the Indian T20 League finally started on Friday, March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The opening match of the league was played between the defending champions Gujarat and the four-time champions Chennai. The Gujarat-based franchise skipper Hardik Pandya opted to bowl first after winning the toss.

While batting first, the Chennai-based franchise put up a total of 178 runs after losing 7 wickets in 20 overs. Their middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu couldn’t impress with his batting as he scored only 12 runs. However, he also registered his name with Chennai’s fast bowler Tushar Deshpande in the history book as Deshpande replaced Rayudu as an impact player in the second innings.

What is an Impact Player rule?

According to the rule, a team can substitute an “impact” substitute for one of their starting XI players during a game to increase their chances of winning. The game-changing replacement can either be a bowler or a batter who can assist his team win. In light of the growing popularity of the game, the Indian Cricket Board believes the regulation will further contribute to making T20s more appealing and entertaining.

“With the ever-growing popularity of T20 cricket, it is imperative that we look at introducing new dimensions which will make this format more attractive and interesting not only for our viewers but also the participating teams from a strategic viewpoint,” the Hindu quoted the Indian cricket board as saying.

“The Indian Cricket Board would like to introduce the concept of ‘Impact Player’ wherein participating teams could replace one member of its playing XI during a T20 match based on the context of the game,” the statement said.

Alongside the starting XI, an impact player might be listed as the 12th or 13th name on the squad sheet. At the time of the coin toss, teams must also name four substitutes or impact players. Only before the end of the 14th over of the inning may the impact player be used. The replacement player has the ability to bat and bowl all four of his allotted overs.