Jos Buttler openly questions India's decision to bring Harshit Rana as concussion substitute in 4th T20I, says 'It is not a like-for-like replacement, We don't...'

It is not a like-for-like replacement: Jos Buttler on concussion substitute Harshit Rana

Meanwhile, England captain Jos Buttler openly questioned India's move to call Harshit Rana as Shivam Dube's concussion substitute. He said that Rana did not meet the criteria for a like-for-like replacement. Not just Buttler, TV commentators, Kevin Pietersen and Nick Knight, who were broadcasting at the time of the substitution, also raised questions about the swap. Dube, who had scored 53 runs off 34 balls, during which he took two blows to the helmet, did not participate in the chase. Rana walked into the field as his replacement and turned the face of the match with his stunning three-fer, which dented England's chase. England ended up falling 15-run short while chasing India's daunting target of 182.

Buttler openly stated that he doesn't agree with India's call to introduce Rana as Dube's concussion substitute. 

"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.

Shivam Dube's crucial half-century, scored after India were struggling at 57 for 4, and his 87-run partnership with Hardik Pandya for the sixth wicket, were instrumental in India reaching a total of 181 for 9. During his innings, Dube was struck on the helmet twice by bouncers. The first instance occurred in the ninth over when he missed a pull shot off a 146.8kph delivery from Jofra Archer. The second blow came off the penultimate ball of the innings, a 141.5kph bouncer from Jamie Overton. India had batting all-rounder Ramandeep Singh on their bench, who might have been considered a more suitable like-for-like replacement for Dube.

Meanwhile, Harshit Rana, made his unique T20I debut as he was introduced into the attack in the 12th over and took no time to make an impact with his searing pace, striking with his second delivery. His shortish ball skidded through to take the outside edge of Liam Livingstone, who had attempted to guide it past third man. Rana bowled his full allotment of overs and finished with three wickets. He was also positioned at short third man to take the catch that dismissed England captain Jos Buttler. Buttler's frustration was evident as he walked off the field, exchanging words with head coach Brendon McCullum, possibly regarding the decision to allow Rana to come on as a concussion substitute. This situation, however, is not unprecedented for the Indian team. In 2020, during a T20I against Australia, Yuzvendra Chahal came onto the field as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja.  Chahal's impact was significant, as he took three wickets and was subsequently awarded the Player of the Match.