The Impact Player Strategy in the IPL 2023 has created a massive buzz – and it has been an anticipatory factor among those watching and commentating on it – in the first 4 days (6 matches) in the tournament so far.
This rule has been introduced in the IPL for the first time this year to give teams more tactical flexibility. All the teams have played one match at least, and except for RCB, all have used the Impact Player.
Here is how teams have used Impact Player Strategy in IPL 2023, and we rate it on how successful, or not, it was:
Chennai Super Kings – 5/10
In both their matches, CSK used seamer Tushar Deshpande as their Impact Player as in both games – vs GT and LSG – CSK have bowled second with Deshpande coming on for Rayudu.
In both his outing, Deshpande was highly expensive – he’s leaked 96 runs in 7.2 overs at an economy of 13, picking up 3 wickets.
His wickets, though, include Shubman Gill and Nicholas Pooran, both times Deshpande turning the tide in CSK’s favor with these big strikes, and against LSG he made a good comeback after a horrible first over.
Deshpande got the nod both times ahead of Simarjeet Singh, who impressed last year with his new ball bowling.
Lucknow Super Giants – 6
When batting first in their first match against DC, LSG brought on K Gowtham as the Impact Player, and on the last ball of the innings, he smashed a six. He bowled impressively, returning with 4-0-23-0 as LSG won by 50 runs.
In their second match, vs CSK, they bowled first and brought on Ayush Badoni. The youngster couldn’t do much with the bat, scoring 23 runs in 18 balls, as LSG lost by 12 runs. His slow rate and lack of intent was being criticized by fans.
Mumbai Indians – 2
Mumbai Indians lost their game with RCB by 8 wickets as RCB gunned down the target of 172 with 22 balls to spare after a mammoth opening partnership of 148 runs between Kohli and Du Plessis.
MI had brought on Jason Behrendorff as their Impact Player – they had started with only 3 overseas players – to utilize his new ball speciality. However, with conditions not offering any help to Behrendorff, who was up against Kohli and Du Plessis, he couldn’t make an impression, leaking 37 runs in 3 overs. The thinking, though, from MI was correct in this case.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Nil
RCB didn’t use their Impact Player vs MI, because they didn’t need it. Chasing against MI, RCB managed to win by 8 wickets, so they didn’t need the extra batter, which they would have used as Impact Player.
Rajasthan Royals – 2
RR thrashed SRH by a massive margin of 72 runs after piling up 203 runs on board courtesy of fifties from Buttler and Samson. When they came to bowl, they replaced Jaiswal with Navdeep Saini as their Impact Player. However, Saini had a forgettable time with the ball, conceding 34 runs in just 2 overs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – 5
Chasing 204 vs RR, SRH lengthened their batting by using Abdul Samad as their Impact Player replacing pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. However, Samad’s presence only helped them mitigate the magnitude of the loss: Samad came in to bat at 48/5 and scored a run-a-ball 32 not out as SRH crawled to 131. Could have been worse.
Delhi Capitals – 1
The usage of Aman Khan – a bowling all-rounder – as their Impact Player was quite weird from Delhi Capitals against LSG. DC brought in Aman Khan in the last over of LSG’s innings – hence he didn’t get to bowl – and then with the bat he managed just 4 runs off 5 balls.
Kolkata Knight Riders – 6
It was a surprise to many that Venkatesh Iyer didn’t start in KKR’s match vs PBKS. And though he came on to bat later on – and played a good hand of 34 (28) from number 4 after early wickets, keeping KKR in the hunt for the target of 192 – fans felt Iyer could have contributed with the ball as well. KKR fell just 7 runs short of DLS target after 16 overs following the arrival of rain in Mohali.
Punjab Kings – 2
After batting first vs KKR, Punjab Kings introduced seamer and new-ball specialist Rishi Dhawan as their Impact Player. However, Rishi couldn’t make a positive impact, going for 15 runs in his only over. He didn’t bowl any more in that game.
Gujarat Titans – 7
The Impact Player rule helped the Titans very much in their opening game vs CSK. Kane Williamson injured his knee while fielding in CSK’s innings and it was clear he couldn’t come to bat.
The Impact Player rule allowed them to bring on left-handed batsman Sai Sudharshan at number 3. The young left-hander made 17-ball 22 from number 3, helping GT in their chase of 179, before Shankar, Tewatia, and Rashid Khan finished off the chase.
