Which Team has best used the "Impact Player"?

For years, cricket enthusiasts have witnessed the power of a single player to turn the tide of a match, seize the moment, and shape their team's destiny. Whether it's a blistering innings, a devastating spell of bowling, or a breathtaking display of athleticism in the field, these moments of individual brilliance have captivated audiences worldwide. 

Recognizing the significance of such game-changing performances, the IPL introduced the Impact Player rule, a groundbreaking innovation designed to elevate the influence of these extraordinary talents even further. Under this rule, each team in the IPL is allowed to nominate one player as their designated Impact Player before the start of the match. This player possesses the unique ability to earn double the points for every contribution they make to their team's performance, be it with the bat, the ball, or in the field. This innovative twist not only rewards exceptional individual performances but also amplifies their impact on the overall outcome of the match.

The Impact Player rule has sparked debates, discussions, and fervent analysis among fans, experts, and pundits alike. It has reshaped team strategies, altered the dynamics of player auctions, and provided a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills on the grandest stage of them all. But amidst the excitement and anticipation surrounding this revolutionary rule, one question looms large: which team has best utilized the Impact Player to its fullest potential?

Batting

Team	Runs Scored
SRH	365
RCB	275
GT	273
RR	246
LSG	240
PBKS	227
MI	227
CSK	218
KKR	184
DC	129

Based on this simple table presented above, it is obvious that SRH has employed the best usage of the impact batsman. However, this fails to fully comprehend the situation. Any team with an impact batsman in the top 4 (like SRH, RCB, RR, and LSG do), will score runs simply because they enter the game early and have more opportunity to do so. This diminishes the impact of the cameos, cameos that are vital in pushing a team to its final total. Instead, here's another chart.

This chart clearly visualizes why SRH has used its impact batsmen the best. SRH impact batsmen have the highest strike rate in the IPL, a whopping 192.1. Combine that strike rate with a long stay at the crease, and SRH hitters are the most productive impact batsmen in the league. They hit the ball hard, and stay long enough to inflict serious damage to the opposing team. The surprising thing about this chart is its correlation to the current points table. The only exception here is RR. They are atop the table, yet they are not efficient while using the impact hitter. Otherwise, teams like KKR and SRH are in the top 4 and have done their homework while using the impact hitter. Both teams have hitters striking at over 170, and they stay long enough to do real damage no matter what phase of the game. 

Bowling

Team	Wickets
CSK	14
RR	12
DC	12
GT	11
PBKS	10
SRH	9
RCB	8
KKR	5
LSG	3
MI	1

Clearly, bowlers have not been given the priority they require. With this being the highest-scoring IPL ever, the focus on wicket-taking has decreased and run prevention is given more priority. So, let's examine another graph.

The chart above combines economy and strike rate to depict the effectiveness of impact bowlers used by a team. It works because lower economies and strike rates are always better, as you give away fewer runs, and pick more wickets in the same number of balls. This chart clearly reflects that the quality of bowling between GT and DC is not discernibly different, indicating that the impact of bowlers has not been as pronounced as I expected it to be. This doesn't exactly reflect the points table either. CSK, RR, and SRH are in the top 4, but PBKS, GT, and DC are not. 

Which Team has used Impact Player the Best?

The team using impact players the best is... SRH! They are the best batting team according to the charts above and rank top 5 when combining economy and strike rate. Much of this is reflected in the standings, where they are currently tied for 3rd place. The 2nd best team is RR. While their individual rankings are not great, they are cumulatively one of the better teams in terms of Impact Player usage. 

All data till 27th April 2024.