IND vs ENG 4th T20I: Why was Harshit Rana allowed to bowl after coming in as concussion sub for Shivam Dube? Here’s what the rules say

Harshit Rana made his T20I debut for India under unusual circumstances when he was bought in as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube in the 4th India vs England encounter in Pune on Friday.

Rana made instant impact when he came on the field in the 8th over and took the catch of England skipper Jos Buttler who after getting dismissed wasn’t happy and had a chat with the coaching staff in the England dug-out.

With Rana on the field, India had an extra bowling option at their disposal with the Kolkata Knight Riders pacer striking instantly with the ball in hand in the 12th over when he snapped up Liam Livingstone.

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He would strike again in the 16th over when he sent back Jacob Bethell for just 6 runs. He took his 3rd wicket after he knocked over Jamie Overton for 19, finishing with figures of 33/3.

The decision courted quite a bit of controversy online with a pacer replacing an allrounder with experts pointing out that it was not a like for like substitution.

How can an out & out bowler replace a batter who bowls part time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #INDvsENG — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 31, 2025

“How can an out & out bowler replace a batter who bowls part time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,” former England player Michael Vaughan posted on X.

India, however, have been in this situation before as well when back in 2020, Yuzvendra Chahal came in as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja in a T20I game against Australia and ended up being the player of the match for his three wickets.

The concussion rule

Rule 1.2.7.3 of the ICC playing conditions for concussion substitution states: “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 team for the remainder of the match.” Rule 1.2.7.7 states: “The decision of the ICC Match Referee in relation to any Concussion Replacement Request shall be final and neither team shall have any right of appeal.”

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In 2019, ICC general manager (cricket) Geoff Allardice tried to clarify the ‘like-for-like’ issue. “Every circumstance is going to be different depending on when the player is requested to be replaced,” Allardice told reporters at Edgbaston, adding: “…it’s very much around what is the likely role of the injured player for rest of the match and who is most like-for-like with the role that player will play.”

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