Cricket is a peculiar game, as it has its own set of rules, sparking a debate when Rishabh Pant was forced to retire after being hit on the foot during the opening day of the 4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. A concussion substitute is allowed for the batters when they are being hit on the head, but the same isn’t allowed when the other injuries are visible to the naked eye. Unlike many different sports, Cricket hasn’t fully evolved to modern-day in terms of substitution rules.
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Why Should We Take Pant’s Case Seriously?
Rishabh Pant’s fracture highlights the loophole in the rules created by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is responsible for writing and maintaining the Laws of Cricket. MCC needs to rethink providing a substitute for the batters in case they are seriously injured. After witnessing Pant’s case, there is a need to bring a change in the substitute rule in cricket.
“Dinda Academy” has inserted a new rule, overruling the governing body. https://t.co/22TbHkDW79
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) July 24, 2025
Cricket, the second most watched sport in the world, has evolved over the centuries from being started initially as a multi-day sport to the current T20. The rules have also been updated from time to time, that includes overarm bowling rule, introduction of Powerplays in ODIs, field restrictions, inclusion of T20 format, bringing technology into play in the form of Decision Review System (DRS), Introduction of World Test Championship (WTC), saliva Ban, two new balls in ODIs, stop clock, concussion substitutes and short runs. All the above-mentioned rules have helped the sport to grow, but the ICC isn’t keen on upgrading the rules when it comes to injuries and player substitutions.
Why ICC Not Agree Like-for-Like Replacement for Injured Players Except Concussion?
The International Cricket Council implemented the concussion rule on August 1st, 2019, which allows a like-for-like replacement if a player is concussed. Marnus Labuschagne became the first concussion substitute, replacing Steven Smith during the Ashes Test at Lord’s in 2019. The reasons why ICC is not keen on bringing like-for-like replacements for the players who are injured, apart from concussion.
- Chances of Misuse: There is a high chance of teams misusing the rule by faking an injury to bring in a more favourable player in situations when they are badly in need of runs or wickets. This is the major reason why the ICC banned providing substitute runners to the injured batters in 2011.
- Policy: It’s difficult to determine the severity of an injury and make the policies accordingly. Teams might take undue advantage at times.
- Another reason not to bring the substitute rule in cricket is to keep the unpredictable nature of the game as it is. That forces the teams to adapt according to the situations, even in times of injuries to players.
Substitution Rules in Cricket
Cricket is one of the most complicated games when it comes to understanding its rules and regulations. One has to get updated now and then, as the ICC changes the rules to suit the modern-day trend and to make the game better.
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The substitute rule in cricket is always a matter of discussion when the players are not allowed a like-for-like replacement when they are seriously injured, apart from getting hit on the head. It once again came into discussion after Rishabh Pant’s fracture during the recent Old Trafford Test, where he was forced to retire after getting hit on the toes. Let’s discuss the substitution rules in cricket:
Concussion Substitutes
The International Cricket Council implemented a historical concussion substitute rule for the first time in 2019, allowing a like-for-like replacement for a player who suffers a head or neck injury only after a medically confirmed concussion. Teams like Australia, India, the West Indies, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe have benefited from the concussion rule.
Injury / Illnesses Substitutes
For on-field Injuries or any other illnesses, a substitute will be allowed, but they are only limited to fielding in place of the injured player. They aren’t allowed to bat or bowl. Previously, wicket-keepers who got injured were replaced by the players in the starting eleven, but from 2019, like-for-like replacement has been allowed, but the replacement is limited only to keeping, and he can’t bat.
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What Issues Might Appear Only by Focusing on Concussion Substitutes?
ICC’s decision to allow substitutes only for concussion has been broadly criticised more often, as it didn’t consider allowing substitutes for any other serious external injuries. Talking about what issues might arise from not allowing substitutes for injuries or illness, the team balance will get affected badly when the key player is injured at the start of the game, especially in the longest format, like Rishabh Pant’s fracture case during the Old Trafford Test. One team will hold the upper hand, while the opponent will struggle, playing with 10.
What Risks Might Come with Relaxing Substitution Rules More Broadly?
The teams will take an undue advantage, faking an injury and replacing the player who is more suited for a particular situation. Broadening the substitution rule will take out the pure essence of the traditional nature of the game. Implementing the substitute rule in cricket is always challenging for the CC, which needs to consider a wide range of points, including the positives and negatives. They will surely consider bringing a slight modification in terms of external injuries after witnessing Rishabh Pant’s fracture during the 4th Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
