Sports
Impact Player concept likely to apply only for Indian players in IPL
The Impact Player concept, being introduced in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 17, could apply only to the Indian players. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to share the regulations on how it will work, BCCI managers, who are in conversations with the franchises, have indicated that only Indian players could come in as the 12th player or as an active substitute during a match.
Cricbuzz has learnt that the franchises have been explained a team cannot introduce an overseas player in place of another overseas player, nor will a team be allowed to have a foreign player in player in place of an Indian. The rule is to make sure that the primary and binding IPL rule of only four foreign players taking part in a game is not diluted. Whether a foreign player will be allowed to come in if a team goes into a match with only three overseas players in the starting XI is not yet clear.
In a recent note to the teams, the BCCI said, “…Also note that from IPL 2023 Season a tactical/strategic concept will be introduced to add a new dimension to IPL, wherein one substitute player per team will be able to take a more active part in an IPL match. The regulations pertaining to the same will be issued shortly.”
The idea has sent the franchises into a thinking mode. While most teams welcome the experiment, the general belief is that the rule could considerably dilute the role of an all-rounder and increase the influence of specialists in a game. The inference is based on the fact that a team can use a specialist bowler while bowling and replace him with a specialist batsman while chasing. The rule could also have a major bearing on the auction in Kochi on December 23.
The Impact Player concept was first introduced in this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and the BCCI is satisfied that the experiment was a big hit. The BCCI has drawn inspiration for this from football and a few other games where substitutes play a very active role.
“The concept is to allow one substitute player per team to take a more active part in a match. This would add a new tactical /strategic dimension to the game. A number of team sports allow teams to make tactical substitutes i.e. football, rugby, basketball, baseball. The substitute is allowed to perform or participate like any other regular player,” the BCCI had said while introducing the rule in the SMAT earlier this year.
(Cricbuzz)
Zimbavwe won the toss and elected to bat first in the Super 8 game against South Africa.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Kwena Maphaka, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt), Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani
This fixture was, of course, known in advance, but the stakes are somewhat surprising. Neither was it expected that India could be knocked out of their own party if they lose to West Indies nor was it expected that West Indies could go to the semi-finals if they win this match.
The expected result still is for India to overcome that one blip against South Africa and make it to the semi-finals. Then again, jeopardy and unpredictability are at the heart of this format.
The path to get here has been similar for both teams: a thumping loss to South Africa and a resounding win over Zimbabwe. Even their scores against Zimbabwe were nearly identical.
West Indies are one team India haven’t faced in their dominant run starting with the 2024 T20 World Cup. They are, in fact, the last team to have beaten India in a series way back in August 2023.
Both sides have improved since then. India are a well-oiled domination machine, West Indies have put together scary six-hitters who have happened to hit form. They have hit more sixes than any side at any T20 World Cup, and India are three behind them with 63 so far.
It is with the ball that India hold an advantage. India’s bowlers are match-winners. They have pace and mystery. It gives them room for error. West Indies are a strictly defensive bowling unit. They’ll need everything to go their way to get the better of India.
He might have taken just 26 balls to get there against Zimbabwe, but it was Abhishek Sharma’s second-slowest fifty in T20Is. That’s because he had scored just 15 runs in the first four matches, which made him take his time against offspin, scoring just 13 off 17 balls against that style of bowling. That makes Roston Chase an important player even though he went for 46 against South Africa. He is the only spinner in the West Indies squad who takes his stock ball away from left-hand batters; India have five of them in their top eight.
Rinku Singh lost his father after the match against Zimbabwe, which he missed with India bringing in Sanju Samson to break up the left-hand batters in the top order. He is expected to join the squad on Saturday night but isn’t expected to play.
India (probable): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.
Brandon King, who had sustained an injury against South Africa, is fit and available, which should suggest no changes for West Indies.
West Indies (probable): Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.
[Cricinfo]
South Africa have had a near-perfect tournament so far. Fifty games in, they are the only unbeaten side in this 20-team T20 World Cup and are poised to enter the semi-finals with a spotless record. On Sunday, Aiden Markram’s men will meet their neighbours Zimbabwe, who last beat South Africa in international cricket way back in 2000. Overall, Zimbabwe have beaten South Africa just twice in 58 completed international matches.
Apart from history, the conditions and recent form are also against Zimbabwe. After toppling Australia and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe have struggled across the board in India. Having suffered back-to-back defeats on flatter pitches at the Wankhede and Chepauk, Zimbabwe were knocked out of contention for the semi-finals.
Their bowlers conceded back-to-back 250-plus totals against West Indies and India. The indiscipline has seeped into their fielding as well: after dropping just one catch in the group stage, Zimbabwe have shelled at least five chances in two matches in the Super Eight. Yet they have had plenty of reasons to celebrate, including avoiding going through the qualifiers for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
South Africa may rest some of their key players as they did earlier in another dead rubber against UAE in Delhi.
A late bloomer in international cricket, allrounder Corbin Bosch has barely been needed with the bat in this competition, but has been South Africa’s go-to bowler in the death overs. He has bowled 54 balls between overs 16 and 20, conceding just 56 runs while taking three wickets. Lungi Ngidi’s variations have grabbed the headlines, but Bosch has certainly played his part with variations of his own, especially the yorker.
Brad Evans also has a good slower ball in his repertoire, but didn’t find grip at Wankhede or Chepauk. His slower ones slid onto the bat, making it easier for batters to line him up. Can he find a way to be more potent in these conditions and sign off on a high?
With not much riding on this fixture, South Africa may empty their bench again and keep some of their first-choice players fresh for the knockouts. Jason Smith, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde and Anrich Nortje all could add to their caps.
South Africa (probable): Aiden Markram (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith/David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen/Kwena Maphaka, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj/George Linde, Lungi Ngidi/Anrich Nortje
The presence of four left-handers in South Africa’s top seven may keep left-arm fingerspinner Wellington Masakadza on the bench. Zimbabwe, though, may consider bringing wristspinner Graeme Cremer back in place of medium-pacer Tinotenda Maposa.
Zimbabwe (probable): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
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