IPL 2026: Best Impact Player substitutions this season
Sameer Rizvi (Source: BCCI/IPL)
Published - 27 May 2026, 06:46 AM• Read time - 2 mins
The Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) is in its final stages as just three more matches are remaining in the competition. The fans have witnessed 71 thrilling games so far, which have left them on the edge of their seats. Ever since the 2023 edition, the IPL governing council has tried to add a different dimension to the IPL with the introduction of the impact substitute.
It allows teams to replace any player from their playing XI with any of the five substitutes submitted at the toss. While there are some occasions where the impact player fails to make any difference to the game, in some instances, it actually helps the team to turn the game in their favour. Here are a few occasions when the Impact substitute was an absolute success in IPL 2026:
1. Devdutt Padikkal in for Jacob Duffy, RCB vs SRH, Match 1
RCB replaced Jacob Duffy, who had scalped a three-wicket haul on his IPL debut, with Devdutt Padikkal as they came out to chase a target of 202. The southpaw played a breathtaking innings of 61 (26) to help RCB complete the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history.
2. Sameer Rizvi in for Mukesh Kumar, DC vs MI, Match 8
After Mukesh Kumar registered brilliant figures of 2/26 in three overs to restrict MI to 162/6 in their allotted 20 overs, he was replaced by Sameer Rizvi in the second innings. The 22-year-old went on to play a match-winning innings of 90 (51) to help DC chase down the target in 18.1 overs and win by six wickets. Rizvi was also adjudged Player of the Match for his magnificent innings.
3. Ravi Bishnoi in for Donovan Ferreira, GT vs RR, Match 9
Defending a score of 210, Rajasthan Royals brought in Ravi Bishnoi in place of Donovan Ferreira, and the wrist spinner completely changed the complexion of the game. He got the big scalps of Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia to register figures of 4/41 in four overs. Courtesy of his performance, Rajasthan were able to restrict GT to 204/8 and won the match by six runs. Bishnoi was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his game-changing spell.
