The player will need to have sustained the injury during the course of the game.
In the wake of India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's toe injury during the recently held Manchester Test against England, the BCCI has decided to amend its playing conditions for the upcoming domestic season.
As per a Cricbuzz report, the Indian board will allow ‘Serious Injury Replacements’ for multi-day matches in the 2025-26 season. The idea was being discussed since the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which saw multiple instances of a player having to play despite nursing injury.
According to the BCCI, the player will need to have sustained the injury during the course of the game, as well as “within the playing area”.
“If a player sustains a serious injury during the course of the relevant match, a Serious Injury Replacement may be permitted in the following circumstances. The serious injury must have been sustained during play and within the playing area described in clause,” reads the newly-introduced rule in the BCCI’s Playing Conditions.
“The injury must have occurred due to an external blow and result in fracture / deep cut / dislocation etc. The injury should render player unavailable for remainder of the match.
“Onfield umpires shall be final authority do decide on extend of serious injury and allowability of Serious Injury Replacement. They may consult BCCI Match Referee and / or doctor available on ground,” the rule added.
Under such circumstances, teams will be permitted to bring a like-for-like replacement for the injured player, much like the provision in concussion substitutes.
Notably, Pant had sustained a fractured toe on his right foot on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. He was hit by the ball while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. The India vice-captain was batting on 37 at the time of the injury, and he bravely limped his way to the middle on the following day to not only bring up his half-century, but to also help India cross 350.
Woakes, who had inadvertently caused the injury to Pant, found himself in a similar situation in the series-decider at The Oval. The English all-rounder suffered a dislocated shoulder while fielding on the opening day. He took no further part in the game until walking out to bat with his left arm in a sling on the final day during England’s chase of the 374-run target.
It remains to be seen whether BCCI’s amended law is implemented in international cricket as well, given the Indian board’s considerable influence on the game.
The BCCI also introduced changes to other playing conditions, including a deliberate short run, where if the batters are found guilty, the opposition captain would decide which batter should be on the strike. Among other changes, if a player is retired for any other reason other than injury or valid cause, he won't be allowed to bat again.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)