New Delhi: Fast bowler Harshit Rana was named as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube during the fourth T20I match between India and England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday, January 31.
His presence on the field was noticed by the commentators when he took the catch of Jos Buttler at short third man. It was initially assumed that the 23-year-old was a substitute fielder, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a tweet on X, stating that Harshit Rana replaced Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute.
Commentators Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Shastri, and Harsha Bhogle discussed the matter on-air, as Harshit Rana dismissed Liam Livingstone on the second ball of his over. Bhogle mentioned that he thought Ramandeep Singh would be the like-for-like replacement for a batting all-rounder like Shivam Dube.
England skipper Jos Buttler was also not happy with the decision to replace Dube with Rana. Former England batter Kevin Pietersen, commenting on the issue, said that he didn’t like the call. The ICC playing conditions state that a concussion substitute must be a “like-for-like” replacement for the concussed player. Dube is a batting all-rounder who can bowl seam-up if needed, but rarely does so for the team. On the other hand, Harshit Rana is a specialist fast bowler, who can swing the bat a bit.
Dube has bowled nine overs in his last 12 T20I matches, while Rana has scored just two T20 runs. The controversy erupted during the match, as Rana picked up 3 crucial wickets and played a crucial role in Team India’s victory in the fourth T20I.
What do the ICC rules say about concussion Subs?
According to the rule, “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.”
Sub-sections, 1.2.7.4 and 1.2.7.5, add “in assessing whether the nominated Concussion Replacement should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC Match Referee should consider the likely role the concussed player would have played during the remainder of the match and the normal role that would be performed by the nominated Concussion Replacement”.
Fans accuse BCCI for tweaking laws
The decision to replace Shivam Dube with Harshit Rana did not go down well with many cricket fans and some called it cheating on social media.
How Harshit Rana is a like to like replacement for Shivam Dube?
Is match refree dumb? Does he know anything about cricket?
This is proper cheating from BCCI. Shivam Dube is a part timer & is useless bowler in T20I who doesn’t bowl in IPL as well for India much.
Shameful!!
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 31, 2025
Harshit Rana is like-for-like for Shivam Dube?
No wonder IND thought Reddy was a 4th fast bowler in AUS.
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) January 31, 2025
It’s outrageous to have Harshit Rana as a concussion sub for Shivam Dube (two completely different player types). India are literally playing with 12 players here.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) January 31, 2025
Suryakumar Yadav and Co. won the fourth T20I by 15 runs and also sealed the series by 3-1, with one match remaining. The last and fifth T20I of the series will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 2.
Harshit Rana replaced Shivam Dude as concussion substitute in the India vs England fourth T20I and picked up three crucial wickets in the match. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
