4 cricketers who can become brilliant 'Impact Substitution Players' in IPL 2023

As per reports, BCCI is set to introduce 'substitution' in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This could trickle down to the IPL, as well. This will be a landmark decision in T20 cricket. On that note, in this article, we take a look at four cricketers who can become brilliant 'Impact Substitution Players' in IPL 2023.

'Impact Player' are cricketers who will not be named in the first XI but will be introduced as a substitution later on. Of course, there would be restrictions on the time of making the substitution. The main objective, though, is to provide a tactical lever to the teams. This option will also help the teams in case there is some early fall of wickets or if a bowler gets injured. On these lines, here are four players who could justify this role well.

1) Bhanuka Rajapaksa - Punjab Kings

Bhanuka Rajapaksa is one of the cricketers who can become brilliant 'Impact Substitution Players' in IPL 2023. The Sri Lankan cricketer did not get a lot of chances after the early part of IPL 2022. However, if the 'Impact Player' option is available, he could come in as the obvious replacement for one of the overseas bowlers, especially when the team is batting second. When the team is batting first, while Rajapaksa can be named in the first XI, the overseas bowler can come as his replacement in the second innings. This way, Punjab Kings can be more dangerous with the bat.

2) Umran Malik - Sunrisers Hyderabad

Umran Malik has been used as a middle-overs enforcer by SRH. He does not have notable batting skills and it makes sense that Umran is used only for his four overs with the ball. This way, to an extent, injuries while fielding can also be avoided. He could come in as a substitution after the powerplay ideally.

3) K Gowtham - Lucknow Super Giants

K Gowtham is also one of the cricketers who can become brilliant 'Impact Substitution Players' in IPL 2023. Despite doing well in a few games, Gowtham could not play a lot of matches in IPL 2022. He is a versatile player and can be useful as an option against left-handed batters. He is also a big-hitter with the bat and can be made use of if a few wickets fall early or if LSG needs some quick runs in the middle overs.

4) Shivam Dube - Chennai Super Kings

Shivam Dube has not found success as a bowler and as a batter, it is mostly against the spinners and slow medium pacers that he has found success. In this context, he can be useful as a substitution for the franchise. Whenever there is a right-arm leggie or a left-arm off-spinner in action and a wicket falls, Dube can come in and contribute with some big hits. He can, later on, be used as a bowler, if only necessary.