Concussion sub controversy explained: Harshit Rana replaces Dube, puzzles pundits-OxBig News Network

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen fumed in the commentary box after fast bowler Harshit Rana replaced all-rounder Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute in the 4th T20I of the 5-match series against England. The incident happened on January 31, in Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Rana replaced Dube, as the batter was not able to take the field after getting hit on the helmet late in the first innings of the 4th T20I. Rana bowled for the first time in the 12th over of the match when England were 94/3 in a chase of 182 runs. The Kolkata Knight Riders pacer had an instant impact on the game, picking up the wicket of Liam Livingstone, who had played a crucial knock in England’s comeback in the last game.

IND vs ENG, 4th T20I: Updates

CONCUSSION SUBSTITUTE RULE: EXPLAINED

Rana’s arrival did not sit well with Pietersen, who argued how could a specialist fast bowler replace an all-rounder as a concussion substitute. As per the International Cricket Council rules, only a like-for-like replacement can be fielded by teams when one of the player gets concussed on-field.

Clause 1.2.7.3.4 of the rule states that the replacement player can only be like for like in nature.

“…identify the requested Concussion Replacement, who shall be a like-for-like replacement for the player who
has sustained the concussion or suspected concussion.”

Commentating on the game, Pietersen, Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle discussed the issue as Harshit Rana picked 2 key wickets in second innings of the game. Bhogle said that he thought Ramandeep Singh was the like for like replacement for a batting all-rounder like Shivam Dube.

Pietersen was more scathing in his criticism and said that England captain lost his concentration after noticing that Harshit Rana had been fielded as Shivam Dube’s replacement.

“Jos Buttler got out in frustration because he was not happy with the substitution. Ask anybody in the world if Harshit Rana is a like for like replacement. I am not so sure that anybody would say that they are. I think that there is going to be a very big discussion if Harshit Rana picks up four for nothing,” Pietersen said.

“It is a different matter if he is like for like or not, but an entirely different discussion if they can turn this into their strength,” he added while commentating.

Back in 2020, India stirred controversy in another T20I match — against Australia when they fielded Yuzvendra Chahal as the concussion substitute in the 1st T20I in a 3-match series.

In that game, Australia head coach Justin Langer was unhappy with Yuzvendra Chahal taking the field as a concussion substitute in place of Ravindra Jadeja. Langer was seen arguing with the match referee and his former teammate David Boon.

Chahal had picked up 3 wickets in that game and had handed India an 11-run win in that game.