5 concussion substitutes in international cricket and their performances
The recently-concluded three-match series between India and Australia witnessed Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja taking a hit on his helmet and suffering a concussion. Such injuries on the field of cricket were becoming increasingly common. And it led the International Cricket Council to create a new concussion substitute rule in 2019.
As per the new rule, a like-for-like concussion substitute could replace the player, in case he/she takes a hit on the head. The ICC approved player replacements in all formats of men and women’s international cricket and first-class cricket.
Let’s take a look at some major instances in international cricket where a concussed player was replaced and how their substitutes performed:
Lord’s, 2019: Steve Smith – Marnus Labuschagne
The first-ever concussion substitute under the new ICC rule came into effect through Steve Smith. The Aussie was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne on Day 5 of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s. Smith fell on the ground after being struck by Jofra Archer’s bouncer on Day 4. But he continued to play and added 12 more runs before being dismissed LBW on 92. Smith suffered a delayed concussion following which Labuschagne replaced him. He went on to score a half-century (59 from 100) in the second-innings as the match ended in a draw.
Kolkata, 2019: Liton Das – Mehidy Hasan; Nayeem Hasan – Taijul Islam
In a rare instance, two Bangladesh batsmen, Liton Das and Nayeem Hasan were retired hurt from the Day/Night Test against India. Both Das (24) and Nayeem (19) were hit by Mohammed Shami’s bouncers and were replaced by Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam respectively. Bangladesh became the first team to make two concussion substitutes in one Test match.
The like-for-like replacement rule meant that Mehidy, who scored merely 8 runs in the second-innings, could not bowl as he replaced a batsman. Although the bowler-to-bowler swap allowed Taijul Islam to both bat and ball. He ended up taking a wicket and scoring 11 runs in the second-innings.
Melbourne, 2020: Taniya Bhatia – Richa Ghosh
India women’s wicket-keeper and batter Taniya Bhatia suffered from concussion following a hit on her neck in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final against Australia at the MCG. Bhatia was hit off a delivery from Jess Jonassen. After she left the field, Richa Ghosh – who became the first concussion substitute in a T20I across men’s and women’s cricket – was declared her replacement. Though Ghosh was unable to make much of an impact through her run-a-ball 18.
Bengaluru, 2020: Rishabh Pant – KL Rahul
After getting hit on his helmet while batting in the 1st ODI against Australia in early 2020, Rishabh Pant (28 off 33 balls) suffered a concussion and took no further part in the game. The 22-year-old was struck on the helmet by Pat Cummins’ bouncer in the 44th over of India’s innings, which also resulted in his wicket. The injury forced K L Rahul to take his position behind the stumps when India came out to field.
Canberra, 2020: Ravindra Jadeja – Yuzvendra Chahal
This is the recent-most and a slightly controversial incident of a player being substituted after being concussed. Ravindra Jadeja was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc’s bouncer during the final over of the first T20I. After taking the hit, the all-rounder continued to bat for the rest of the over. However, he was replaced by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal after the innings break – a move that visibly irked Australia head coach Justin Langer. After Jadeja’s crucial 44-run knock that led India to a respectable total, his substitute Chahal played an equally important role. He picked three wickets in the game and India eventually won by 11 runs. Notably, Chahal even went on to bag the Man of the Match award.
