Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has sharply criticized the sport’s concussion substitute rule, labeling it a “like-for-like substitute for incompetence” for batters struggling with short-pitched deliveries.
Gavaskar’s Fiery Stance on Concussion Subs
Sunil Gavaskar, known for his forthright opinions, recently voiced strong disapproval of the current concussion substitute rule in cricket. He believes the rule acts as a safety net for batters who lack the skill to face short-pitched bowling effectively.
“If you are not good enough to play short-pitched bowling, don’t play Test cricket; go and play tennis or golf,” Gavaskar stated bluntly. He argued that the rule, introduced in mid-2019, provides an unfair advantage by allowing a replacement for a player who gets hit due to their inability to handle a specific type of bowling.
The Rishabh Pant Incident
Gavaskar’s comments came during the India-England Test at Old Trafford, specifically after Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant suffered a fractured toe. Pant was hit while attempting a reverse swipe off Chris Woakes on Day 1 but remarkably returned to bat and score a half-century on Day 2.
While Pant’s injury was clear and not related to concussion, his situation sparked a broader discussion on substitute rules. Dhruv Jurel was brought in to field for Pant, highlighting the distinction between fielding replacements and batting/bowling substitutes.
A Call for Rule Review and New Committee
Despite his harsh criticism of the concussion rule, Gavaskar believes there’s a need for a more comprehensive approach to substitutions for genuine injuries like Pant’s. He emphasized that such clear injuries should warrant a substitute.
Gavaskar suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should form a new committee to review and take calls on injury-related substitutions. He specifically recommended a committee separate from the current ICC Cricket Committee, which has several Indians in key positions.
This separation, he explained, would ensure objectivity and prevent any perception of bias, especially from media in countries like Australia, if an Indian player’s situation led to a rule change.
Previous Criticisms of India’s Sub Use
This isn’t the first time Gavaskar has spoken out against what he perceives as misuse of substitution rules. Earlier this year, he publicly criticized the Indian team management for replacing all-rounder Shivam Dube with fast bowler Harshit Rana after Dube’s batting innings.
Gavaskar highlighted the lack of a “like-for-like” comparison between Dube and Rana. He argued that such substitutions tarnish the team’s wins and give opponents, like England, valid reasons to feel unfairly treated.
- Sunil Gavaskar views cricket’s concussion substitute rule as a cover for batters unable to play short-pitched bowling.
- He believes genuine injuries like Rishabh Pant’s fractured toe should warrant a substitution.
- Gavaskar advocates for a new, objective ICC committee to review substitution rules for various injuries.
- He has previously criticized the Indian team for using loopholes in substitution rules, citing the Shivam Dube/Harshit Rana incident.
Gavaskar’s consistent stance underscores an ongoing debate about fairness and integrity in cricket’s evolving rules, especially concerning player safety and tactical advantage.
