Fully support substitutes: Coach Gambhir suggests major ICC rule change after Pant injury

India Today

2 days ago

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly advocated for the inclusion of injury substitutes in Test cricket, particularly in cases of externally-caused or serious injuries. Gambhir's remarks come in the wake of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant sustaining a serious foot injury on the opening day of the fourth Test against England in Manchester - a moment that has reignited debate over the limitations of substitution rules in the red-ball format.advertisementSpeaking after the drawn Test at Old Trafford, Gambhir said: "Yes - if there's an external injury or serious concern, I fully support having a substitute. Especially in a series like this, if someone's visibly injured, there's nothing wrong with making a change. In a long series like this, you can't be forced to play with just ten players."ENG vs IND, 4th Test Day 5: Highlights
Pant was batting on 37 when he attempted a reverse sweep to a yorker from Chris Woakes and suffered a fracture to his right foot. The injury forced him to retire hurt and be driven off the ground, unable to walk. In what was widely regarded as an extraordinary act of resilience, the 27-year-old returned to the crease the next morning after India lost their sixth wicket and completed his 18th Test fifty, pushing India close to 350.However, the injury has since ruled Pant out of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. With him unable to don the gloves, Dhruv Jurel kept wicket during England's first innings, and uncertainty remains over Pant's fitness to bat again in Manchester. The timing and severity of the incident have added to India's mounting concerns as they look to level the series.The episode has turned the spotlight on the ICC's substitution protocols, which currently permit like-for-like replacements only in cases of concussion - a rule introduced in 2019. Serious injuries not related to concussion, even those caused by external impact, do not fall under this provision. As a result, teams are often left to cope with one less player for the remainder of the match.Gambhir's sentiments were echoed by legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar, who urged the ICC to revisit its regulations in light of Pant's misfortune."If a concussion substitute is allowed, why not one for a serious external injury like this?" Gavaskar said. "This isn't a hamstring or muscle strain - this was an impact injury that could derail a team's campaign."Pant's injury, described by many as freakish in nature, has had ramifications that go beyond the immediate match. For a side already battling physical wear and tear through a demanding summer, the enforced absence of a key player through no fault of their own has once again raised fundamental questions about competitive fairness.advertisementMeanwhile, India, led by stand-in captain Shubman Gill, showed immense character to salvage a hard-fought draw in Manchester and keep the series alive. After slumping to 0 for 2 early in their second innings, India resisted England's attack for over five sessions, finishing on 425 for 4 on the final day.Gill struck his fourth century of the series, while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar batted through the final day with unbeaten hundreds - a display of defiance that left the home side without answers and the Old Trafford crowd subdued.With the series delicately poised at 2-1 in England's favour, the final Test at The Oval, beginning Thursday, has now assumed enormous significance. England must avoid defeat to win the series, while India will be aiming for a comeback that seemed improbable just days ago.- EndsYou May Also Like