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In 2023 IPL (Indian Premier League) introduced impact player rule along with other changes like DRS for wide and no balls, naming playing 11 after coin toss, restricting unfair wicketkeeper movement and new batter always taking strike. While some of these changes were overdue and merely formalized practices previously guided by the spirit of the game, the impact player rule stood out as the most discussed and dramatic adjustment. Previously, teams had to carefully balance the number of batsmen and bowlers to achieve the optimal lineup for winning a match. With the introduction of the impact player, teams now have greater flexibility to adjust their player selections as the match unfolds.
The impact player rule is inspired primarily by football and basketball, where a player can be substituted at any time during the match and perform all their usual roles without restriction. This contrasts with cricket, where substitutes were traditionally limited to fielding duties only. In every sport, there will always be a debate between traditionalists and the newer generation. Some prefer to preserve the game as they have always known it, while others advocate for innovations to make the sport more interesting. One of the positives of the impact player rule is that it has led to more explosive cricket, with high scores previously seen only in 50-over games now becoming common in the 20-over format. However, the downside is felt by bowlers, who are already at a disadvantage in the shorter format and are further marginalized. Consequently, batters are often the ones idolized as match winners, while bowlers rarely receive the same recognition. This rule has also affected the Indian National Men’s Cricket team, leading to a decline in the number of all-rounders emerging from the IPL.
People come to watch exciting cricket, and we can’t reverse the trend, as more and more fans are thrilled by high-scoring matches filled with boundaries and sixes. With this rule here to stay, balancing it in favor of bowlers is essential as batsmen are taking more risks. One suggestion is to use the impact player usage as a tiebreaker in the league stage when two teams are tied on points. If the impact player usage is also equal, then net run rate would be used as the secondary tiebreaker. In simpler terms, when two teams have the same number of points, the team that has used the impact player less frequently will be ranked higher than the team that has used it more often. This additional rule aims to restore balance to the game for bowlers, who won’t have to contend with an extra batsman they need to dismiss. Moreover, making net run rate secondary in tiebreakers will reduce the reliance on the impact player.
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