Two significant modifications to the playing conditions for all formats have been made by the International Cricket Council (ICC). One concerns the use of balls in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), while the other concerns the protocol for concussion substitutes in all formats of men's international cricket.

The ODIs will now use a two-ball rule in accordance with the updated playing conditions that the ICC has authorized. Men's ODI matches now use two new balls, one from each end during the innings.

This will only go on until the end of the 34th over under the new playing circumstances. One of the two balls, which will be used from both ends until the finish of the innings, must be selected by the bowling side starting in the 35th over.

The other major rule change was regarding the concussion substitute. The following positions will require the substitute players to speak with the match referee before the start of a contest in accordance with the revised concussion protocols: one wicketkeeper, one fast bowler, one batter, one spinner, and one all-rounder.

By designating role-specific substitutes, ICC seeks to steer clear of controversy. The match referee may use the current like-for-like procedure to consider a player from outside the original five nominations if the replacement player also sustains a concussion and needs a substitute.

Notably, this rule change came after the Harshit Rana controversy that happened in January during a T20I match between India and England in Pune. The Indian team replaced Shivam Dube with Harshit Rana, who made his T20I debut as the concussion sub.

As per the ICC rules, only like-for-like replacements can be fielded by teams when one of the players gets concussed on the field. However, Dube, a medium-pacer all-rounder, was replaced by an out-and-out fast bowler in Rana.

Rana impressed one and all and picked three wickets, helping India win the match. Experts pointed out that the pacer's replacement of an all-rounder was not a like-for-like swap, sparking a great deal of internet criticism.

However, India has experienced this situation previously as well. In a T20I match against Australia in 2020, Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja due to a concussion and ended up winning the player of the match award for his three wickets.

The recent rule changes will take effect on June 17 in Tests, July 2 in ODIs, and July 10 in T20Is.

(Firstpost report)