According to famous Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar, Harshit Rana's selection as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube during India's fourth T20I against England in Pune was not a like-for-like replacement and detracted from the hosts' triumph.
Harshit, who is mostly a pacer, replaced Dube when the all-rounder suffered a concussion while batting in the final over after Jamie Overton struck him on the helmet. Rana, who made his T20I debut, took 3-33 in his four overs and was instrumental in India defending 182 and taking an unbeatable series lead.
In the post-match press conference, England batter Jos Buttler wasn’t happy with India’s decision to replace Shivam Dube with Harshit Rana and questioned the spirit of the game.
"In the Pune game, Dube batted right till the end after having got hit on the helmet earlier, so clearly, he was not concussed. So, allowing a concussion substitute itself was not correct. Yes, there could have been a substitute in case he had strained a muscle while batting, but that would have been only for fielding and he could not have bowled.
Even by the most generous stretching of the like-for-like term, there was nothing much between Dube and Rana. With tongue firmly in cheek, one can say that they are the same height and have the same standard in fielding.
"Otherwise, there's nothing like-for-like as far as they are concerned. England have every reason to feel done in. This Indian team is superb and doesn't need its wins to get tarnished by such acts," wrote Gavaskar in his column for mid-day on Sunday.
India will look to win the series 4-1 against England in their fifth and final T20I at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
"The recovery from a dire situation to a match-winning score with that partnership between Hardik Pandya and Dube showed why this team is one which will never give up and keep fighting till the end.
"If Rana had not taken three wickets and England had gone on to win even then the substitution was wrong and should never have been allowed. It has taken the gloss off the win and India must win in Mumbai to show that they are indeed the better team," added Gavaskar.
The rule 1.2.7 of ICC's Men's T20I playing guidelines says, "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/her team for the remainder of the match."
Multiple former England cricketers opposed Harshit Rana’s selection as concussion substitute for Shivam Dube, while it should’ve been Ramandeep Singh.
Sunil Gavaskar further stated that this was one of the worst rules of the game.
"The concussion substitute, which allows teams to bring on a like-for-like replacement on the field, is one of the worst rules in the game. It rewards ineptitude.
If a batter can't play a bouncer and gets hit on the helmet and goes off the field and the team doctor thinks he needs to rest because of concussion, then someone else who is not in the XI who does pretty much what the concussed guy does can replace him. Firstly, if you can't play the bouncer then don't play at the highest level.
Play weekend club cricket and smash the bowlers all round the park to your heart's content. Secondly, if someone breaks a finger or a wrist and obviously cannot take any further part in the game is not allowed a like-for-like replacement, then why allow one for some guy who gets hit on the helmet," he concluded.
The T20I series between India and England will be followed by three ODI matches before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
(Mid-day inputs)
