Many analysts questioned the decision to allow Harshit, a frontline pacer, to replace Dube, a batting all-rounder, in the event of a concussion. According to the great Ravichandran Ashwin, India had Ramandeep Singh on their side, who could have replaced Dube just like him.
In the fourth T20I between India and England in Pune, the concussion substitute controversy involving Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana was one of the main talking topics. In the first innings, the latter was struck on his helmet by a bouncer from Jamie Overton. After passing the fitness test, he kept batting. Harshit Rana was brought on as a concussion substitution, hence he was unable to field in the second innings. India won by 15 runs thanks in large part to the Delhi seamer, who claimed three wickets and gave them an insurmountable 3-1 lead with one game remaining.
“The game is completed. India won another series at home. T20I has been a huge success. However, I would like to know if we played an IPL match and forgot it was an international game. since Shivam Dube’s concussion substitution was the main topic of conversation today. I recognise that it has also happened in the past.
“Yuzvendra Chahal took Ravindra Jadeja’s place in Canberra,” Ashwin posted on his YouTube page.
“It’s possible to refer to it as poetic injustice or poetic justice. I don’t get it. Chahal took the role of Ravindra Jadeja, at least initially. Shivam Dube was replaced in this instance by Harshit Rana. The Indian and England teams have no part to play. You might argue that Shivam Dube can bowl a little and Harshit Rana can bat a little if the team is empty, which is why we brought him in. Ramandeep Singh, a like-for-like replacement, was seated outside. “I don’t understand,” he continued.
The former off-spinner for India pleaded with the authorities to investigate this matter further. He cautioned that such a move might be made against India in the future.
“This is an instance of blatant cricket miscalculation, whether it was made by the match referee, umpires, or someone else. Similar to Shivam Dube, Ramandeep Singh was present as a batter who can vall a little. but not him. The replacement for concussions was Harshit Rana. I believe that the authorities ought to investigate this. It hurt today against England, and it might harm India someday, Ashwin thought.
On Sunday, February 2, the fifth and final Twenty20 International between India and England will take place at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.