I think people in charge should look into this: Ashwin on concussion substitute controversy 

by Sahil Jain
Harshit Rana

A big controversy erupted in the fourth T20I between India and England. Shivam Dube was hit on the head on the penultimate ball of India’s innings. He passed the mandatory concussion test on the field and batted on the last ball (he was runout). 

The left-handed didn’t take the field and Ramandeep Singh was the substitute fielding for him in the powerplay. However, Harshit Rana came onto the field after six overs and was officially included in the game as a concussion substitute. Rana played a crucial role in helping India clinch the fourth T20I as he picked up three wickets in his maiden T20I outing.

That sparked a massive debate all across the cricketing fraternity. Many believe that Rana was not a like-for-like replacement for Dube. Ravichandran Ashwin was one among them. The veteran off-spinner questioned if it was forgotten the game was an international match and was treated as an IPL game.

Back in December 2020, Ravindra Jadeja was subbed out due to concussion and Yuzvendra Chahal replaced him in a T20I game against Australia in Canberra. At that time, there was no other all-rounder in the squad and Chahal was the only other spinner. 

The game is done. India capture yet another series at home. T20I has been a real juggernaut of a win. But my question is, whether we forgot it was an international game and played an IPL match? Because today all the discussion was on how Shivam Dube’s concussion substitute? I can understand it has happened in the past too. In Canberra, Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja,” Ravichandran Ashwin was quoted saying on his YouTube channel. 

The concussion substitute rule 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/her team for the remainder of the match. 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.”

Hence, the Tamil Nadu cricketer called it ‘poetic injustice’ and added that with Ramandeep Singh being a part of the team, Rana was not a like-for-like replacement for Dube. He wants the people in charge to have a close look at this and thinks it could go against India one day as well.  

You can call poetic justice, or in fact poetic injustice. I don’t understand it. At least earlier, Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja. Here, Harshit Rana replaced Shivam Dube. There is no role of the Indian or England team. If there is no one in the squad, then you can say that Harshit Rana can bat a bit and Shivam Dube can bowl a bit, that’s why we brought him in. Like-for-like replacement Ramandeep Singh was sitting outside. I don’t understand. I think people in charge should look into this. Today it happened against England and hurt, some day India might be hurt too,” Ashwin added.  

India’s dominant run in T20I cricket 

India are yet to lose a T20I series under Suryakumar Yadav.
India are yet to lose a T20I series under Suryakumar Yadav.

India have been absolutely dominant in the T20I format. They have lost a mere three games and won 27 from the start of 2024. In fact, their last bilateral T20I series loss came in the Caribbean back in August 2023. They have remained unbeaten for nine series in a row.  

Moreover, India have not lost a T20I series at home in the last five years (16 series in a row). Under Suryakumar Yadav, India are yet to lose a T20I series. Since he took over as full-time T20I captain, India have beaten Sri Lanka (away), Bangladesh (at home), South Africa (away) and now, England (at home).

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