There are also host of new rules for the 2023 season.
For the first time, IPL sides will be allowed to make a tactical substitution with an “Impact Player” coming in to bat or bowl as needed. This will give teams a chance to bring in a substitute player at any time during the game. Any Indian player can act as an Impact Player, while an overseas player can only be used in the role if the team hasn’t used the full quota in the starting XI. As a standard rule, IPL teams can contain a maximum of four overseas players in its starting lineup.
For this purpose, the rules around the coin toss have been changed. Captains can now confirm a starting lineup after the toss, instead of before, depending on if they’re batting or bowling first. Not everyone is convinced it’s the best way forward.
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting said the move would almost negate the need for all-rounders. “This rule almost negates the role of allrounders,” Delhi Capitals head coach and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said. “Unless they are absolutely world class, and are getting picked either as batsman or bowler, not sort of bits and pieces guys, I don’t think we will see many teams this season who actually use allrounders that might bat at No. 7 and bowl an over or two. Because you don’t need those guys anymore.”
Hoping to prove the former Australian captain wrong will be Sam Curran. The England all-rounder became the most expensive ever buy in the players’ auction in December by returning to Punjab Kings for 185 million Indian rupees ($2.25 million).
In another important change, a time penalty has been introduced to control over rates. Like in international T20 and one-day international cricket, the number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle will be reduced if the fielding team fails to finish its overs in the stipulated time.
The IPL will also break new ground in terms of its broadcast. For the first time in Indian cricket, there will be two different broadcasters involved in taking the action to audiences. Disney Star retained television rights for the 2023-2027 period and Viacom18 entered into the market with digital rights for the same five-year cycle in deals that were worth about $6 billion for the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which runs the IPL.
Top Indian players Rishabh Pant (Delhi), Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai) and Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) are missing the IPL this year due to injury, while England batsman Jonny Bairstow (Punjab) is still recovering from surgery.
