The Impact Player rule arrived in the IPL in 2023. It lets each side bring one substitute into the match who can bat and bowl like any other player, which a traditional substitute fielder can’t.
How the swap works
At the toss, each captain names a playing XI and up to five substitutes. One of those substitutes can replace a member of the XI at set moments: before an innings starts, at the end of an over, or when a wicket falls. The player who comes off takes no further part in the match.
The overseas limit still applies. If a side starts with four overseas players, its Impact Player has to be Indian.
What it changed
Teams often bring in an extra batter when chasing and an extra bowler when defending. The added batting depth lets top orders attack from ball one, which is a big reason totals have climbed since the rule came in.
