Jos Buttler Fumes Over India’s Concussion Substitution Controversy

The fourth T20I between India and England in Pune took an unexpected turn, not just due to India’s commanding performance but also because of a controversial substitution.

England captain Jos Buttler was visibly frustrated after India introduced Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube, who had played a pivotal role with the bat. Buttler questioned the legitimacy of the replacement, arguing that it was not a like-for-like swap and had a significant impact on the match.

Dube’s Knock and the Concussion Controversy

Shivam Dube, batting at No. 6, delivered a crucial innings, smashing 53 runs before being run out on the last ball of India’s innings. However, his innings took a twist when he was struck on the helmet during the penultimate delivery. India then introduced Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute, sparking controversy. Buttler was quick to express his displeasure, claiming that the replacement provided India with an unfair advantage.

“Either Shivam Dube has put on about 25 mph with the ball or Harshit has really improved his batting,” Buttler fumed. “It’s not a like-for-like replacement, we don’t agree with that.” Despite his frustration, he acknowledged that England had chances to win but failed to capitalize.

England Seeks Clarity Over Decision

One of Buttler’s primary grievances was the lack of consultation regarding the substitution. According to him, England was not informed about the decision until he came out to bat.

“There’s no consultation. It was something as I came out to bat, I was thinking ‘who’s Harshit on for’ and I was told he was the concussion replacement, which I obviously disagreed with,” Buttler stated. He further added that the umpires merely informed him that the match referee, Javagal Srinath, had made the decision, leaving England with no say in the matter.

The England camp intends to seek further clarity on the ruling. While ICC regulations state that a concussion substitute must be a like-for-like replacement, it remains a subjective decision by the match referee.

Harshit Rana’s Impact Raises Eyebrows

Harshit Rana, playing his first T20I, proved to be a game-changer with the ball. He dismissed key England batters—Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton—claiming wickets at crucial junctures. His performance played a significant role in England’s collapse from 62/0 to 166 all out.

While some argued that Rana was a justified replacement due to his right-arm pace, Buttler and the England team felt that the swap was unfair. “No, he didn’t [win the game on his own], but he helped,” Buttler admitted, implying that Rana’s contribution tilted the match in India’s favor.

India Defends the Decision

India’s management, on the other hand, stood firm on the legitimacy of their decision. Bowling coach Morne Morkel explained that they simply followed protocol and had no control over the final approval.

“Shivam obviously took the knock against the head, came off the field, got the innings break with mild headache symptoms. We took a name forward to the match referee in terms of a suitable substitution, and from there it’s up to the match referee to make that decision,” Morkel clarified.

He further emphasized that Rana had to be rushed in unexpectedly. “Harshit was having dinner, had to get himself ready as quickly as possible to get onto the field and bowl,” Morkel added.

The controversy surrounding India’s concussion substitution has sparked a heated debate on the interpretation of ICC regulations. While India insists they followed the rules, England remains unconvinced about the fairness of the decision. With the final T20I set to be played in Mumbai, all eyes will be on how the aftermath of this incident unfolds and whether it prompts a reevaluation of concussion substitute protocols in international cricket.

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