'Not Like-For-Like Replacement,' Buttler Criticises Harshit Rana's Entry As Concussion Sub
Jos Buttler makes sarcastic comment on Harshit Rana (Source:@AP)
The fourth T20I between India and England on Friday (January 31) was marred by controversy after pacer Harshit Rana replaced all-rounder Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute. The decision has sparked a debate, with several former cricketers and England captain Jos Buttler questioning the rightfulness of the move.
Dube played a crucial role in India's innings and made a much-needed half-century (53 off 32 balls). His innings was also important as he and he snitched a crucial 87-run partnership with Hardik Pandya to help India post a competitive 181/9.
However, in the penultimate ball of the innings, Shivam Dube was struck on the helmet by a sharp bouncer from Jamie Overton. Following medical assessment, India requested a concussion substitution, introducing right-arm fast bowler Harshit Rana in place of the all-rounder.
Jos Buttler Opens About Concussion- Sub Debate
England captain Jos Buttler expressed his concerns over the decision. He stated that he was not consulted about the replacement. According to the ICC’s playing conditions for T20Is, concussion substitutes must be a 'like-for-like replacement' and should not provide the team with an undue advantage.
"It is not a like-for-like replacement. We don't agree with that. Either Shivam Dube has put on about 25mph with the ball or Harshit's really improved his batting. It's part of the game and we really should have gone on to win the match, but we disagree with the decision." Buttler said after the fourth T20I.
"There was no consultation [with us]. That's something I was thinking as I came out to bat - who is Harshit on for? They said he is a concussion replacement, which I obviously disagreed with. It is not a like-for-like replacement. They said that the match referee had made the decision. We had no say in it or any part of it. But we'll ask Javagal [Srinath] some questions just to get some clarity around it. Like I said, it was not the whole reason why we did not win the match. We had our chances to win the game which we could have still taken. But I'd like to have a bit more clarity on that." He added.
Dube’s role in the match was significant, contributing as a middle-order batter. While he occasionally bowls medium pace as we have often seen in IPL. On the other hand, Rana is a right-arm fast bowler and does not contribute with the bat in the same capacity as Dube. So this decision has faced several backlash and scrutiny after India sealed the series 3-1 and won the fourth T20I by 15 runs.