“Correct cheating …”: controversial concussion substitution looks tough rana replace shivam dube vs england, internet responds

Talented Pacer Harshit Rana, who has played two samples, made quite surprisingly a surprise input to India, who played XI in the fourth T20i against England in Pune on Friday. Although Rana was initially not named in XI, Rana was called to replace allrounder Shivam Dube as a ‘similar-for-like’ concussion after the latter was beaten on the helmet in the final over India’s laps. DUBE, which scored 53, was hit on the helmet in the penultimate ball in the Indian lap of a Jamie Overton delivery.

After the mandatory concussion test, Dube was cleared to play. However, he was run out of the final delivery of laps. DUBE is a tempo all -rounder, while Rana has so far played the role of specialized fast bowler in the Indian cricket team.

Rana, who had recently played in the opening test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy, came in to bowl in the 12th over and had an immediate influence and rejected Liam Livingstone for 9. Rana ended with three wickets.

England’s skipper Jos Buttler seemed unhappy with the decision and was seen a discussion with the judges on the field. According to ICC’s rules, teams may only name similar-for-like replacements if a batsman is excluded due to a concussion.

The decision to use Rana as a replacement of DUBE did not go down well with many users of social media, some call it cheating.

How hard Rana is a similar one to like replacement for Shivam Dube?

Is match refree mute? Does he know something about cricket?

This is proper cheating from BCCI. Shivam Dube is a few hours and is useless bowler in T20i, which does not toast in IPL so well for India very much.

Shameful !!

– Rajiv (@rajiv1841) 31 January 2025

HARSHIT RANA is as-for-like for Shivam Dube?

No wonder that in thought Reddy was a 4th fast bowler in AUS.

– CricketingView (@CricketingView) 31 January 2025

Instead of concussion sub the right word used must be influence sub. https://t.co/f2SO8gav3f

– Prasanna (@Prasannalara) 31 January 2025

It is scandalous to have Hardhit Rana as a concussion under Shivam Dube (two completely different types of player). India literally plays with 12 players here.

– Alagappan vijayakumar (@indianmourinho) 31 January 2025

India had sent 181/9 after being sent in to beat. The hosts won the match with 15 races to take a non-accessible 3-1 lead in the Five-Match series. The last T20i will be played in Mumbai on Sunday.

With PTI inputs