Explainer
The impact-player rule, three seasons in: what we now know
What changed in the death overs, why allrounders rebid, and the bowling pattern that quietly shifted.
The impact-player rule arrived in 2023 with a clear intent: to allow franchises to use a player as a substitute in any phase of the innings, regardless of the XI. Three seasons in, the patterns that have emerged are more interesting than the headline debate.
What changed in the death overs
The death-overs scoring rate has risen by 9% across the last two seasons. The pattern is not the headline-grabbing hitting, but the more disciplined approach to the powerplay-and-death split: the impact-player is now used to extend the batting depth into the death overs, with the bowler substituted out for a specialist batter.
Why allrounders rebid
The allrounder market has rebid upward across the last two auctions. The pattern is the recognition that an allrounder who can both bat and bowl offers the franchise the option of using the impact-player slot on a specialist, rather than a like-for-like swap.
The bowling pattern that quietly shifted
The bowling pattern that has shifted is the use of the fifth bowler. Franchises are increasingly using the impact-player rule to bring in a fifth specialist bowler, with the batting depth allowing the captain to rotate the bowlers more aggressively through the middle overs.
What we're watching
- Whether the rules committee adjusts the impact-player rule for the 2027 cycle.
- Whether the allrounder market continues to rebid upward.
- Whether the death-overs scoring rate stabilises or continues to climb.
Related coverage
The rule, in detail
The impact-player rule was introduced in 2023 as a strategic substitution. A franchise may name fourteen players in the squad, with the batting and bowling XIs selected from the squad before the toss. The impact player may be substituted at any point during the match, regardless of the over, the wicket or the fielding position. The substitution is irrevocable: the impact player may not be replaced by another player later in the match.
The tactical implication is that the franchise may now build the squad with the impact-player in mind. The choice is between an extra batter, an extra bowler, or an allrounder who can do both. The death-overs pattern has shifted because the franchise can now extend the batting depth without sacrificing the bowling options in the powerplay.
What we're watching next
The 2027 cycle
Whether the rules committee adjusts the impact-player rule for the next cycle. The pattern of use across the last two seasons suggests the rule has bedded in, but the off-spinner market and the allrounder market will be the pressure points.
The allrounder market
The allrounder market has rebid upward across the last two auctions, with the franchises recognising that an allrounder who can both bat and bowl offers the option of using the impact-player slot on a specialist.
The death-overs pattern
The death-overs scoring rate has risen by 9% across the last two seasons. The pattern is not the headline-grabbing hitting, but the more disciplined approach to the powerplay-and-death split.
The strategic implications, by phase
The powerplay
The powerplay has shifted toward a higher-scoring phase, with the franchises using the impact-player to extend the batting depth. The pattern is most pronounced in the second half of the powerplay, where the franchises have been willing to take more risks with the strike-rotation.
The middle overs
The middle overs have seen a more disciplined approach, with the franchises using the impact-player to bring in an extra bowler when the batting depth allows. The pattern is most pronounced when the franchise is defending a total, where the extra bowler offers the captain more options in the death overs.
The death overs
The death overs have seen the highest-impact change, with the franchises using the impact-player to extend the batting depth into the final four overs. The pattern is most pronounced when the franchise is chasing a total, where the impact-player is often a specialist batter.
The bowling patterns
The bowling patterns have shifted toward a five-bowler attack, with the franchises using the impact-player to bring in a specialist bowler when the batting depth allows. The pattern is most pronounced when the franchise is defending a total.
What the data tells us
Death-overs scoring rate
The death-overs scoring rate has risen by 9% across the last two seasons. The pattern is not the headline-grabbing hitting, but the more disciplined approach to the powerplay-and-death split.
Allrounder auction values
The allrounder market has rebid upward across the last two auctions, with the franchises recognising that an allrounder who can both bat and bowl offers the option of using the impact-player slot on a specialist.
Bowling depth
The bowling depth has increased across the last two seasons, with the franchises using the impact-player to bring in a fifth specialist bowler. The pattern is most pronounced when the franchise is defending a total.
What the rule has done to the auction
The impact-player rule has reshaped the auction. The allrounder market has rebid upward across the last two cycles, with the franchises recognising that an allrounder who can both bat and bowl offers the option of using the impact-player slot on a specialist. The pattern is most pronounced at the top of the order, where the marquee allrounders have seen their auction values rise by 20-30% across the last two cycles.
The specialist market has also shifted. The specialist batter who can come in at the death has become a more valuable auction target, with the franchises recognising the impact-player rule as an opportunity to extend the batting depth. The specialist bowler who can come in at the powerplay has become a more valuable auction target, with the franchises recognising the impact-player rule as an opportunity to extend the bowling options.
Looking forward
2027 cycle
Whether the rules committee adjusts the impact-player rule for the next cycle. The pattern of use across the last two seasons suggests the rule has bedded in, but the off-spinner market and the allrounder market will be the pressure points.
The captaincy angle
Whether the captaincy pattern shifts with the impact-player rule. The captain has more options at the toss and at the death, with the impact-player offering the option of a specialist in any phase.
The bilateral context
Whether the rule spreads to bilateral international cricket. The bilateral franchises have begun to push for a similar rule, with the ICC yet to publish a position on the proposal.
The numbers behind the rule
Frequently asked, plainly answered
What does the impact-player rule do?
The rule allows a franchise to substitute one player at any point during the match, regardless of the over, the wicket or the fielding position. The substitution is irrevocable.
When can the substitution be made?
The substitution may be made at any point during the match, with the franchise required to notify the match referee before the change. The change may be made at the fall of a wicket, the end of an over, or any other break in play.
Has the rule spread to international cricket?
No. The rule is currently only in use in the IPL and the franchise leagues that have adopted the IPL model. The ICC has not yet published a position on the proposal.
What happens to the bowling figures?
The bowling figures are credited to the bowler who actually bowled the over. The impact-player is treated as a substitute for the purposes of the bowling figures but as a full player for the purposes of the batting figures.