In a thrilling fourth T20I game in Pune on Friday, India proved victorious over England. Putting up a total score of 181 for 9 in 20 overs, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube hitting half-centuries, India had some scratchy moments while batting first. On the other hand, England had a rosy start, but they crumbled against the class of India’s bowling lineup to be all out for 166. With this victory, India has taken an unassailable lead of 3-1 in the five-match series. The match further became controversial for a certain few reasons.
Shivam did not come out to field after the innings break as he was struck on the body by a short delivery from Jamie Overton while batting. Harshit Rana, the pacer, was sent as a concussion substitute for him, making his T20I debut.
Rana made an immediate impact in the match, finishing with a tally of 3/33. However, Rana replacing Dube angered many former players, including England captain Jos Buttler.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan voiced his displeasure on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Rana can never be a ‘like-for-like’ replacement for all-rounder Dube.
“How can an out & out bowler replace a batter who bowls part time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,” Vaughan wrote on X.
How can an out & out bowler replace a batter who bowls part time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #INDvsENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 31, 2025
Here’s what the rule states:
Rule 1.2.7.3 of the ICC playing conditions for concussion substitution states: “The ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match.”
Rule 1.2.7.7 states: “The decision of the ICC Match Referee in relation to any Concussion Replacement Request shall be final and neither team shall have any right of appeal.”
This, however, was not the first occasion India had ever experienced a setup like this. In 2020, in a T20I match against Australia, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was brought on against all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja because of concussion and bagged a Player of the Match award on getting three wickets.
