Courtesy: BCCI
In the fourth T20 International (T20I) played between India and England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, the hosts claimed a 15-run victory, riding on marvellous bowling show from Harshit Rana and Ravi Bishnoi. Harshit, who replaced Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute, registered a three-wicket haul and made a crucial contribution in the Men in Blue’s success. In his three-over spell, he splurged only 33 runs and got rid of English players Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton.
Harshit Rana’s entry in the side as a concussion replacement sparked a debate in the cricketing circle. England skipper Jos Buttler displayed his discontent, and said that Rana is not like-for-like concussion sub for Dube. Buttler received support from his compatriots Kevin Pietersen, Michael Vaughan, and Nick Knight, who questioned the swap. With the debate regarding the concussion substitute heating up, it’s essential to revisit the International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines regarding its rule.
The rule 1.2.7 of ICC Men’s T20I playing guidelines deals with Concussion Substitute
As per the rule, "The ICC match referee will be bound to permit a Concussion Replacement Request, if the replacement is like-for-like player whose entry will not benefit majorly for the remainder of the game."
It also includes sub-sections, 1.2.7.4 and 1.2.7.5, which states that "in evaluating whether the nominated Concussion Substitute should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC Match referee should review the likely role the outgoing player would’ve played during the remainder of the match, and the normal role would be assigned to the nominated Concussion player."
"In case, the ICC match referee feels that the participation of the nominated concussion replacement, while performing his normal role, might deliver an excessive advantage to its team, the referee might intervene and apply such conditions upon the identity and involvement of the Concussion Substitute as he/she views fit, according to the disallowing objective of simplifying a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player," the rule further reads.
ICC Playing Conditions: Concussion Substitute
According to 1.2.7.1, if a player encounters a head or neck injury during the game, a Concussion Substitute may be allowed in the following situations:
1.2.7.1.1: The neck or head injury should’ve happened during the game and within the playing arena as per described in the clause 1.2.5.2.
1.2.7.1.2: The concussion or suspected concussion must have been formally diagnosed by the Team Medical Representative.
1.2.7.1.3: The Team Medical Representative or Team Manager will be required to submit a Concussion Replacement Request to the ICC match referee on a standard form, which reads:
1.2.7.1.3.1: Identify the player who has gone through concussion or suspected concussion.
1.2.7.1.3.2: Specify the incident in which concussion or suspected concussion was endured, including the time at which it took place.
1.2.7.1.3.3: Confirm that, following an examination, the Team Medical Representative believes or suspects that the player has passed through concussion or suspected concussion.
1.2.7.1.3.4: Identify the requested Concussion Substitute, who shall be a like-for-like replacement for the player who is going out due to concussion or suspected concussion.
1.2.7.2: The Concussion Replacement Request must be gave in as soon as possible as the incident stated in clause 1.2.7.1.3.2 if a Concussion Replacement is to be allowed.
1.2.7.3: The ICC match referee should normally approve a Concussion Replacement Request, in case he is convinced that the like-to-like player whose entry will not deliver an excessive benefit to his/her side in the rest of the match.
As discussed above, 1.2.7.4 and 1.2.7.5 states to evaluate whether the nominated concussion substitute should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC match referee should review the likely role the outgoing player would’ve played during the remainder of the match, and the normal role would be assigned to the nominated concussion player.
1.2.7.6: The ICC match referee may in evaluating a Concussion Replacement Request according to the provision 1.2.7.1.3, request any such further information as may be required in order to make the determination needed under the above clauses 1.2.7.4 and 1.2.7.5.
1.2.7.7: The decision of the ICC match referee regarding the Concussion Replacement Request shall be final and no side has the right to challenge the decision.
1.2.7.8: Once the Concussion Substitute enters the game after the match referee’s nod, the replaced player will have no part to play in the contest.
1.2.7.9: Both Concussion Substitute and the replaced player shall be considered to have played in the contest for the record purposes.
