IPL 2023: CSK’s Tushar Deshpande, GT’s Sai Sudharsan used as tournament’s first two Impact Players

Chennai Super Kings’ pacer Tushar Deshpande became the first Impact Player substitute in the league’s history as he came on as a second half substitute in the IPL 2023 season-opener against Gujarat Titans on Friday in Ahmedabad.

The bowler replaced Ambati Rayudu during the mid-match break after CSK’s batting innings concluded.

Gujarat Titans had not yet named an Impact Player originally when Kane Williamson got injured on the boundary rope while fielding. But once the first wicket fell in GT’s innings, B Sai Sudharsan came on for the New Zealand skipper, who looks set to be sidelined for a while after limping off the field.

Say hello to the 1⃣st-ever Impact Player in the history of the IPL! ????@TusharD_96 is ???? the field, replacing Ambati Rayudu

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/61QLtsnj3J#TATAIPL | #GTvCSK | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/bkY7IF8Qpa— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2023

The Impact Player can be used in the following manner:

The Captain will nominate the Impact Player to the umpire and the umpire will signal in the manner stated in Schedule 1 indicating that the Impact Player is being introduced. The Impact Player can be introduced (i) before the start of the innings; or (ii) after completion of an over; or (iii) in case of a batter, at the fall of the...

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