Who was the first-ever Impact player in the history of Tata IPL?

MS Dhoni did not waste much time after the CSK innings as he went straight for the impact player. They had five options to choose the player to replace Rayudu as CSK chose Deshpande, Subhranshu Senapati, Sheikh Rashid, Ajinkya Rahane and Nishant Sindhu as replacement players.

Due to the implementation of the impact player rule, teams can change one of their players in the playing eleven in the middle of the game. Teams have the option to select an impact player from among the five substitute players selected at the start of the match. Players can only have one of five options.

This was Deshpande's eighth match in the IPL as he has taken four wickets so far in the cash-rich league. It was not an ideal start for Deshpande as an impact player. He gave away 29 runs in two overs.

During the toss, CSK captain Dhoni talked about the impact player rule as he suggested that its implementation would reduce the all-rounder's impact.

This makes the decision a little easier because you can use it at any time. Dhoni said at the time of the toss, 'Due to this rule the influence of the all-rounder has reduced a bit.'

Gujarat Titans also used an impact player in their innings as Sai Sudarshan replaced the injured Kane Williamson and came in to bat at No. 3 while chasing the target of 179 runs.