The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a new rule that would let teams bring in a full replacement if a player suffers a serious external injury during a match. If passed, this change would allow like-for-like substitutes who can bat or bowl, something not allowed under current rules unless it is a concussion case.
This update becomes important after what happened to Rishabh Pant in the ongoing Manchester Test between India and England. On Day 1 of the fourth match, Pant injured his right toe while batting. He was trying a reverse sweep and the ball struck his right foot. He could not even walk and was escorted on a medical cart. He has reportedly suffered a fracture that has ruled him out of action for six weeks.
Despite the injury, Rishabh Pant showed great courage. He came back to bat on Day 2 after Shardul Thakur got out. Pant was limping and clearly struggling, but he still made 54 runs. It was a brave effort, but also showed how the current rules forced India to send in an injured player.
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ICC Considers Allowing Fully Active Replacements for On-Field Injuries
As of now, teams can bring in substitutes, but they are not allowed to bat or bowl. A substitute can only field or keep wickets. So even though India had a backup wicketkeeper in Dhruv Jurel, he could not replace Pant as a batter.
"A player who suffers a serious injury on the field of play any time after the match haz started (including any pre-match warm-up period) may be replaced for the remainder of the match by a fully participating like-for-like player," the ICC had released a statement in June.
Now, the same rule could be made official for all international matches. As per a report in The Times of India, the matter is under discussion and could be approved at the next ICC Cricket Committee meeting.
"There is a chance that teams will get to bring in a replacement for serious external injuries. The matter is already under deliberation. A ratification is expected in the next ICC cricket committee meeting," a source said as quoted to TOI.
If approved, this rule will help teams avoid situations where injured players are forced to take the field.
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N Jagadeesan Likely to Replace Rishabh Pant in India's Squad for 5th Test
With Pant ruled out due to a fracture, India are now looking at replacement options for the fifth and final Test. While they have Dhruv Jurel, Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter N Jagadeesan is likely to be added to the squad as a backup option. Jagadeesan has good experience in domestic cricket. He has played 52 first-class matches, having scored over 3,373 runs, including 10 hundreds and 14 fifties.
There were talks of recalling Ishan Kishan, but he is reportedly unavailable due to injury. That has opened the door for Jagadeesan, who could now get his maiden Test call-up.
