IPL 2023: Tushar Deshpande creates history as first ever Impact Player

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The Indian Premier League 2023 has started with a blockbuster encounter between Chennai Super Kings and defending champions Gujarat Titans.

This edition of IPL is commencing a new era as numerous new rules and tweaks have been made in the new season. And among the new rules, there is the introduction of Impact Players, where a player can replace a player from the starting lineup during the match and either bat or bowl depending on the requirement.

And the Impact Players rule was utilized by both teams in the very first match. Gujarat Titans bowled first and scored 178 runs after the end of their full quota of overs. CSK, who bowled first, took the option of their Impact Player at the start of the second innings.

Tushar Deshpande: First Impact Player in IPL history

CSK bowler Tushar Deshpande became the first player in IPL 2023 and overall tournament history to come on as an Impact player. The pacer replaced Ambati Rayudu as the impact player and has already bowled a couple of overs in the 2nd innings.

But so far, Deshpande's impact has been largely reduced as the bowler has conceded 29 runs in his two overs with the ball.

Gujarat Titans Impact Player: Sai Sudharsan

Gujarat Titans have also utilized their Impact Player option as they have brought on Sai Sudharsan in place of Kane Williamson. The Kiwi batter got injured while fielding and thus the Titans were forced to take off Williamson, and Sudharsan came in his place. The Tamil Nadu batter has already scored 19 runs and is looking good at the middle.