‘MSD at Eight’ – Hussey Clears The Air on Impact Player Rule of IPL 24

What is the ‘Impact Player’ rule:

Before a match, clubs can nominate five substitute players in addition to their starting XI under the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League. Following the commencement of play, the leaders of the two teams may designate any one of these five replacements to take the place of a beginning player during any of the game's natural breaks. These include the beginning of an innings, the conclusion of an over, the removal of a wicket, and the retirement of a batter. However, the incoming substitute is not permitted to bowl the remaining balls of that over if an Impact Player is brought on by the bowling side following the fall of a wicket or in the case that a batter retires in the middle of an over. Regardless of the number of overs the player he is replacing has bowled before to being replaced, the Impact Player is still eligible to bowl his whole allotted four overs. The Impact Player replaces the starting XI player, who is unable to participate in the game anymore. In a match, a side may use a maximum of one Impact Player substitution.

There is one restriction, though. A team may only use an Indian as their Impact Player if their starting eleven includes the maximum four foreign players permitted. A club may select a foreign recruit from the replacements list to serve as the Impact Player if they have three or fewer international players in their starting lineup.

Michael Hussey and CSK’s approach to use the ‘Impact Rule’:

“It’s definitely been a directive from head coach (Stephen) Fleming to keep pushing the game forward. The ‘Impact Player’ has lengthened the batting order, with MSD at number eight, which is crazy, and he is batting well (in the nets) at the moment,” Hussey to reporters during the post-game media interaction.

“Because of this, the batters up the order can take the positive (attacking) route. They certainly have the backing from the coaches and the captain. Even if they get out doing so, it’s fine, and they won’t be criticized. We want to keep playing fast. It was two in two for new CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, replacing Dhoni, while Hussey termed him a ‘cricket-savvy guy. Rutu is fantastic and very well-prepared. He, along with Fleming and MSD get together to talk tactics before the game,” he said.