The concussion substitute rule in cricket is a relatively recent innovation introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to protect players who suffer head or neck injuries during a match. It allows a team to replace a concussed player with a like-for-like substitute who can fully participate in the game, including batting and bowling, ensuring player safety without putting the team at a disadvantage.
Why Was the Concussion Substitute Rule Introduced?
Traditionally, cricket allowed only substitute fielders who could field but not bat, bowl, or keep wicket. This meant that if a key player, such as a bowler or batsman, suffered a concussion or serious injury, the team would be disadvantaged as the substitute could not perform those roles. The tragic death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014, who was fatally injured by a bouncer, heightened awareness about the dangers of head injuries in cricket and accelerated calls for better player protection.
In response, the ICC introduced the concussion substitute rule in August 2019 across all international formats, allowing teams to replace a concussed player with a fully participating substitute, subject to strict conditions.
How Does the Rule Work?
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Injury and Diagnosis
The concussion or suspected concussion must occur on the field of play during the match. Once a player sustains a head or neck injury, the team’s medical representative conducts an assessment. If concussion is diagnosed or suspected, the team can initiate the substitution process. -
Request for Concussion Replacement
The team manager or medical staff must submit a formal Concussion Replacement Request to the ICC Match Referee using a standard form. This request includes:-
Name of the concussed player
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Details of the incident causing the concussion
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Medical confirmation of concussion or suspected concussion
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Name of the proposed substitute player
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Approval by Match Referee
The ICC Match Referee reviews the request to ensure the substitute is a “like-for-like” replacement. This means the substitute should have a similar role and skillset as the injured player. For example, a batsman must be replaced by a batsman, a bowler by a bowler, and an all-rounder can replace either, depending on the likely role the injured player would have fulfilled for the remainder of the match. -
Role and Fairness Assessment
The Match Referee considers:-
The likely contribution of the concussed player if they had continued
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The role and abilities of the proposed substitute
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Whether the substitute would give the team an unfair advantage
If the replacement is deemed to provide an undue advantage, restrictions may be imposed. For example, if the injured player was not bowling at the time of injury, the substitute may also be barred from bowling.
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Substitution and Match Participation
Once approved, the concussed player takes no further part in the match. The substitute can bat, bowl, and field as required. Both players are recorded as having participated for statistical purposes. -
Finality of Decision
The Match Referee’s decision on the concussion substitute is final and cannot be appealed.
What Constitutes a “Like-for-Like” Replacement?
The “like-for-like” principle is central to the rule’s fairness. It ensures the substitute’s role closely matches that of the concussed player to prevent teams from gaining a tactical advantage. For example:
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A specialist batsman should be replaced by a batsman.
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A fast bowler should be replaced by a bowler with similar bowling style and batting ability.
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An all-rounder can replace either a batsman or bowler if their role matches the expected contribution.
The Match Referee uses the context of the match to assess this. For instance, if a bowler is injured during a match phase where only batting remains, a batter with similar skills might be allowed as a substitute.
Examples and Notable Uses
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India vs England 2025 T20I: Shivam Dube, a bowling all-rounder, was concussed and replaced by Harshit Rana, a bowler. Although not a perfect like-for-like, the Match Referee approved the substitution considering the likely role Dube would have played.
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Ravindra Jadeja’s Replacement: Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Jadeja as a concussion substitute during a T20I against Australia, with the Match Referee ensuring fairness.
Limitations and Conditions
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The injury must occur on the field during play, not during warm-ups or off-field activities.
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The substitution request must be made within 36 hours of the incident.
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The substitute must be eligible to play for the team under ICC regulations.
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The substitute can face restrictions (e.g., not bowling) if the original player was restricted.
Why Is This Rule Important?
The concussion substitute rule prioritizes player safety by allowing concussed players to be removed from the game without penalizing their team competitively. It encourages teams to take head injuries seriously and removes the incentive for players to continue playing while concussed, which could risk long-term health.
Conclusion
The concussion substitute rule is a vital advancement in cricket’s player welfare protocols. It balances the integrity of the game with modern medical understanding of concussion risks, ensuring teams are not unfairly disadvantaged while protecting players’ health. The rule’s careful implementation, with oversight by the Match Referee and the like-for-like principle, maintains fair competition and underscores cricket’s commitment to player safety in today’s fast-paced, high-impact sport.
