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When Vishnu Vinod Became IPL's First Concussion Substitute Replacing Ishan Kishan

Soumyajit Dutta

Vishnu Vinod and injured Ishan Kishan [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Vishnu Vinod and injured Ishan Kishan [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

Vishnu Vinod, Kerala’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter, carved his name into IPL folklore during the 2023 Qualifier 2 clash between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. In a first for the league, he became the inaugural concussion substitute, stepping in for Ishan Kishan after the latter suffered a freak injury. 

How Did Vishnu Stepped In As A Concussion Substitute?

The injury was a bit uncanny as Chris Jordan adjusted his cap while walking back, Ishan Kishan—changing positions on the field—inadvertently bumped into him. The bowler’s elbow struck Kishan squarely in the left eye, forcing the opener to exit the field promptly. 

With Kishan sidelined, Vishnu Vinod, initially excluded from the playing XI, was thrust into action as the makeshift wicketkeeper. The freak accident ruled Kishan out of opening Mumbai Indians’ daunting chase of 234. 

During the chase, regular opener Rohit Sharma partnered with Impact Player Nehal Wadhera instead, but the latter fell cheaply for just 4 runs off three deliveries. Further compounding Mumbai’s troubles, Cameron Green, batting at No. 3, retired hurt shortly after due to lingering discomfort from a fielding injury. Vinod meanwhile, scored 5 off 7 in his brief stint with the bat.

Vishnu's Journey From Kerala’s Domestic Games to the IPL Stage

Born on December 2, 1993, Vishnu’s journey began in Kerala’s domestic circuit, where his aggressive batting and sharp glovework turned heads. His breakthrough came in the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he amassed 508 runs in 8 matches, including three centuries, at a staggering average of 63.50. 

Vinod's Shaky IPL Career

Vinod’s IPL career has been a mix of promise and patience. Drafted by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017, he spent years navigating bench roles across franchises like Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In IPL 2023, he played three games for Mumbai Indians, scoring 37 runs at a strike rate of 119.35, but his defining contribution remained that trailblazing concussion substitution.