Nobody anticipated that Harshit would make his T20 debut as a replacement for a concussion. On the other hand, this has shown controversial. Both Butler and Vaughan replied.
In Friday’s Twenty20 match in Pune, India defeated England by a score of 15 runs. Team India now has a massive 3-1 lead in the five-match T20 series after this victory. Harshit Rana, who entered the game as Shivam Dubey’s concussion replacement, is being talked about more than Team India’s victory, though. When Harshit entered the field, the roles were reversed. He destroyed England’s middle order with three wickets. Like-to-like substitution for concussion is currently being questioned by some cricket fans and former players. Harshit is appointment as Dubey’s right replacement is incorrect, according to both current captain Jos Butler and former England captain Michael Vaughan. After three wickets apiece from Harshit and Ravi Bishnoi, England were all out for 166.
Vaughan questioned the like-to-like replacement rule
Harshit’s T20 debut as a concussion substitution was not anticipated by anyone. In actuality, Shivam Dubey struck an incredible half-century when India batted in the first innings. But in the 20th over of the innings, Jamie Overton’s ball struck his head when he was batting. He was then allowed to bat, but on the final ball of the inning, he was run out. Harshit had to make his debut as a concussion substitute when he stopped bowling. Making an impression, Harshit claimed three wickets for 33 runs. This infuriated Vaughan and Butler. “Under no circumstances is Harshit a like-to-like replacement for Dubey,” Vaughan remarked on X. “How can a batter who bowls part-time be replaced by a full-fledged fast bowler
Butler said-we do not agree with this decision at all
“It was not a like-to-like replacement,” Butler remarked following the game. We disagree with that. Either Harshit has substantially enhanced his batting (sarcastically) or Shivam Dubey has boosted his bowling speed by roughly 25 mph (ca. 40 km/h). We disagree with the decision, but it is a part of the game, and we should have won the match. Not even we were consulted. As I came out to bat, I wondered for whom Harshit had entered the field. Harshit is Dubey’s substitute for concussions! I obviously do not agree with this. There is no like-to-like substitute for this. The management of the Indian team stated that this decision was made by the match referee, Javagal Srinath. Neither this nor any aspect of it was our choice. But in order to gain some clarification, we shall pose certain questions to Javagal.
Fans’ responses are also appearing on social media
“But this was not the only reason we could not win the match,” Butler stated. We had an opportunity to win the game, which we could have done, but I would like some additional information regarding the concussion issue. This choice has also angered a lot of supporters. They think Ramandeep Singh ought to have replaced Dubey due to his concussion. This has also been mocked by some. Let us observe the responses.
What is stated in the rule
“The ICC Match Referee normally grants a concussion replacement request where the replacement is like to like, and the replacement team will not earn any additional benefit if that player enters into the squad,” according to Rule 1.2.7.3 of the ICC’s playing rules for concussion replacement. “The ICC Match Referee’s decision regarding any concussion replacement request shall be final and no team will have any right of appeal,” according to Rule 1.2.7.7. For India, this was not the first time that a situation like this had occurred. In a T20 encounter against Australia in 2020, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal replaced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja due to a concussion and took three wickets to win Player of the encounter.
Dubey and Hardik hit half centuries to take India past 180
India scored 181 runs in 20 overs while losing nine wickets during the game. They once lost three wickets for 12 runs when batting first. Samson was removed after scoring one run due to his persistently bad play. Tilak Verma and captain Suryakumar Yadav were unable to open the account at the same time. Rinku Singh scored 30 runs in 26 balls with four fours and a six, while Abhishek Sharma scored 29 runs in 19 balls with four fours and a six. Then, for the sixth wicket, Shivam Dubey and Hardik Pandya shared an 87-run partnership. In his T20 international career, Dubey scored his fourth half-century, and Hardik his fifth. With four fours and four sixes, Hardik amassed 53 runs in 30 balls before being removed. At the same time, Dubey used seven fours and two sixes to score 53 runs in 34 balls. Arshdeep was unable to open the account, while Akshar was able to score five runs. Jamie Overton took two wickets for England, while Saqib Mahmood took three. Adil Rashid and Brydon Carse both took one wicket.
The England team was unable to build on their strong start.
England may score 166 runs in reply. The team started off strong thanks to a 62-run partnership between Phil Salt and Ben Duckett. Duckett was dismissed after scoring 39 runs in 19 balls, and Salt was dismissed after scoring 23 runs. Only two runs could be scored by Captain Butler. Harry Brook used two sixes and five fours to score 51 runs in 26 balls. Overton scored 19 runs, Jacob Bethell scored 6, and Livingstone scored 9. Jofra Archer and Brydon Cars were unable to open the account. Concussion Overton, Bethell, and Livingstone were all removed by Harshit. Bishnoi took three wickets at the same time. Chakraborty, Varun, took two wickets. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh each took one wicket.