England cricketers serious about Rana's selection.
India defeated England by 15 runs in the fourth T20 match, winning the series with one game remaining. A controversy arose over the use of the concussion substitute rule when Harshit Rana replaced injured Shivam Dube. England’s players, including Jos Buttler, questioned the decision, leading to a debate on the interpretation of the rule.

In the fourth T20 match against England, the Indian team secured a thrilling 15-run victory. India batted first and scored 181 runs, while England was bowled out for 166 runs in 19.4 overs. With this win, India clinched the series with one match still remaining. However, post-match, a new controversy emerged surrounding the use of the Concussion Substitute rule.
During the first innings, in the final over, Shivam Dube was hit on the helmet by a ball, causing him to leave the field. Due to his injury, India used the concussion substitute option. According to this rule, if a player is injured, an alternate player can replace him in the playing XI. This rule was introduced by the ICC in 2019. As per the regulations, Harshit Rana, an all-rounder, was brought in to replace Dube. However, the controversy stemmed from the fact that the rule mandates a like-for-like replacement. That means an all-rounder should replace an all-rounder, and a bowler should replace a bowler.
Harshit Rana bowled 4 overs, conceding 33 runs and taking 3 wickets, helping India secure the victory. However, England captain Jos Buttler voiced his objection to the decision. He argued that, although Dube is an all-rounder, India should have picked a perfect bowler to replace him, rather than another all-rounder. Buttler stated, “Shivam Dube can bowl at pace, but I can’t accept that Harshit Rana can bat. Therefore, before accepting a concussion substitute, the match referee needs more clarity.”
Former England player Kevin Pietersen also commented on the decision, saying, “They should have replaced Shivam Dube with an all-rounder, not given an opportunity to a bowler.” Another former England captain, Michael Vaughan, questioned, “How did they bring in a perfect bowler instead of a part-time bowler?” Similarly, another former captain, Alastair Cook, expressed confusion, stating, “I don’t understand how they allowed Harshit Rana to replace Shivam Dube.”
This controversy sparked a major debate within the England team and suggests that the ICC may need to clarify the rules surrounding concussion substitutes further. For more sports updates, visit Vaartha Sports.
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