India, March 25 -- When the introduction of the Impact Player was announced prior to the start of IPL 2023, it sparked a frisson of excitement. On paper, the concept looked exciting, a vast improvement on the Super Sub idea that was briefly in vogue in One-Day International cricket in first half of the 2000s.

Under the Super Sub proviso, teams could name an additional, 12th player who could replace a player from the original XI, but the substitute had to be named before the toss took place, which meant in most cases, the side that lost the toss practically lost its Super Sub too.

The Impact Player rule allowed franchises to name five substitutes, one of whom could come on as a sub. This ensured that the toss didn't influence the efficac...