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India's spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has finally reacted to all the drama around India's decision to bring in Harshit Rana as Shivam Dube's concussion substitute during fourth T20I against England in Pune. Ashwin has strongly criticized the move to allow Harshit Rana to come on as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube. Ashwin labelled the situation a 'pure cricketing miscalculation' and questioned the match officials' judgment. He pointed out that according to ICC rules, the substitute should be a 'like-for-like' replacement, which was clearly not the case with a pace bowler replacing a batting all-rounder.
R Ashwin reacts to Harshit Rana concussion substitute controversy
Ashwin even drew a parallel to a past incident involving Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal, where the change was at least a like-for-like swap. Ashwin's remarks suggest that the Harshit Rana substitution felt more like an IPL-style "impact player" move, further fueling the debate about its fairness.
"The game is done. India capture yet another series at home. T20I has been a real juggernaut of a win. What was this game? It was like a replica of the IPL. Supersub was there, and the game was played with an impact player," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
"The entire discussion is about how Harshit Rana came in as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube. Did we forget that it was an international match and play an IPL match? I can understand. It has happened in the past. Ravindra Jadeja got concussed in Canberra, and Yuzvendra Chahal came in as a substitute. I don't understand this. At least previously, Chahal came in for Jadeja, a spinner for a spinner," he further stated.
Ashwin argued that Ramandeep Singh would have been the more appropriate and logical replacement, given the nature of Dube's injury and his role in the team. Ashwin called for the need for lawmakers to carefully review the concussion substitute rule to avoid similar situations in the future.
"Here, Harshit came in for Shivam Dube. There is no role of the Indian or England team. If there is no one in the squad, then you can say that Harshit Rana can bat a bit and Shivam Dube can bowl a bit. That's why we brought him in. Like-for-like replacement Ramandeep Singh was sitting outside. I don't understand. This is a case of pure cricketing miscalculation, either on the part of the umpires or the part of the match referee. Ramandeep Singh was there, like-for-like for Shivam Dube. But not him. Harshit Rana was chosen as the concussion substitute. I think people in charge should look into this," Ashwin concluded.
Dube's blistering fifty first helped India post a daunting total of 181/9. Harshit Rana, who came in as Dube's concussion substititute, then ripped through the England's batting line-up with his terrific three-fer and helped India bundle out the visitors to 166 and win the match by 15 runs.
Earlier, England captain Jos Buttler openly questioned India's move to introduce Rana as concussion substitute and said it wasn't a like-for-like replacement.
"It is not a like-for-like replacement. We don't agree with that. Either Shivam Dube has put on about 25 mph with the ball or Harshit's really improved his batting. It's part of the game and we really should have gone on to win the match, but we disagree with the decision," Buttler said after the match, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
