3 players who delivered match-winning performances as concussion substitute

<p>Before going on to list the three players whose performances as concussion substitutes changed the complexion of the match to their favour, it would be apt to understand the exact set of rules mandated by the Playing Conditions of the International Cricket Council. According to the Playing Guidelines of ICC’s Men’s T20Is, rule 1.2.7 deals with concussion substitutes. As per the clause, "the ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his/her team for the remainder of the match.”&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p>There have been several debates in the past when it comes to the exact definition of a like-for-like replacement. This, however, is a topic for another occasion. For the unversed, the ICC implemented the above-mentioned rule across the realm of international cricket in addition to T20 and First-Class cricket on August 1, 2019. There have been numerous instances of substitute players coming in for those diagnosed with concussion.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ind-vs-eng-2025-3-players-big-impact-india-5th-t20i-england/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IND vs ENG 2025: 3 players who can make a big impact for India in 5th T20I against England</a></strong></p>
<h3>Here are the three players who performed as concussion substitutes:&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>3. Marnus Labuschagne vs England, August 2019</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1738410517027_Marnus-Labuschagne.jpeg" alt="Marnus Labuschagne" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Marnus Labuschagne (Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia's top-scorer in the second Test of the Ashes 2019, Steve Smith, was ruled out before play on the final day of the game. During Australia's first innings, Smith was on the receiving end of a brutal Jofra Archer bouncer. The development of him not featuring on Day 5 of the game came out as a surprise, despite initial assessments and scans done on him having cleared him to participate in the remainder of the game.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Out came <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/marnus-labuschagne/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marnus Labuschagne</strong></a>, the first concussion replacement in the history of international cricket. Archer, who was firing thunderbolts from one end, did not even spare Labuschagne. He was hit flush on the grille on the first legal delivery he faced. However, he ended up fine and negated the barrage with considerable ease as time passed by. His 59-run knockoff 100 deliveries turned out to be pivotal in saving the game for the visitors.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Yuzvendra Chahal vs Australia, December 2020</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1738410652861_Chahal.jpeg" alt="Chahal" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Yuzvendra Chahal (Source: Twitter/X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The series opener between Australia and India in Canberra involved quite a bizarre ending to the first half of the game. Ravindra Jadeja's blitz was one of the primary reasons for India ending up on 161 at the end of their 20 overs. It was even more commendable bearing in mind that the all-rounder was suffering through a hamstring niggle for the majority of his knock. A strike to the helmet on the second delivery of the final over rendered him reportedly displaying symptoms of concussion belatedly.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/yuzvendra-chahal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yuzvendra Chahal</strong></a> came in as Jadeja's substitute and provided an instant impact with the ball in his very first over. He first dismissed Aaron Finch, before making Steve Smith head back to the pavilion in his next over. His third of the evening was that of wicketkeeper-batter, Matthew Wade, caught by the then-T20I skipper, Virat Kohli. Ending with figures of 3/25 in four overs, Chahal was awarded the Player of the Match accolade.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Harshit Rana vs England, January 2025&nbsp;</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1738410844519_harshit-rana.jpeg" alt="Harshit Rana" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Harshit Rana (Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The fourth T20I of the five-match T20I series between India and England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium involved a similar tale to the aforementioned episode which unfolded with Jadeja. It was another left-hander, this time in the form of Shivam Dube. Dube was struck on the helmet a couple of deliveries after recording a fine half-century.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This time around, there was a batting all-rounder in the form of Ramandeep Singh available at the disposal of the hosts. However, an out-and-out bowler, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/harshit-rana/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Harshit Rana</strong></a>, was opted as Dube's replacement during the innings break. Rana, making his T20I debut, struck the second ball after getting introduced in the 12th over of the run-chase.&nbsp; He came back splendidly well after getting clobbered for 18 runs in his second over to end up with figures of 3/33 in a memorable 15-run victory for India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Before going on to list the three players whose performances as concussion substitutes changed the complexion of the match to their favour, it would be apt to understand the exact set of rules mandated by the Playing Conditions of the International Cricket Council. According to the Playing Guidelines of ICC’s Men’s T20Is, rule 1.2.7 deals with concussion substitutes. As per the clause, "the ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his/her team for the remainder of the match.”&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p>There have been several debates in the past when it comes to the exact definition of a like-for-like replacement. This, however, is a topic for another occasion. For the unversed, the ICC implemented the above-mentioned rule across the realm of international cricket in addition to T20 and First-Class cricket on August 1, 2019. There have been numerous instances of substitute players coming in for those diagnosed with concussion.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ind-vs-eng-2025-3-players-big-impact-india-5th-t20i-england/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IND vs ENG 2025: 3 players who can make a big impact for India in 5th T20I against England</a></strong></p>
<h3>Here are the three players who performed as concussion substitutes:&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>3. Marnus Labuschagne vs England, August 2019</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1738410517027_Marnus-Labuschagne.jpeg" alt="Marnus Labuschagne" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Marnus Labuschagne (Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia's top-scorer in the second Test of the Ashes 2019, Steve Smith, was ruled out before play on the final day of the game. During Australia's first innings, Smith was on the receiving end of a brutal Jofra Archer bouncer. The development of him not featuring on Day 5 of the game came out as a surprise, despite initial assessments and scans done on him having cleared him to participate in the remainder of the game.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Out came <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/marnus-labuschagne/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marnus Labuschagne</strong></a>, the first concussion replacement in the history of international cricket. Archer, who was firing thunderbolts from one end, did not even spare Labuschagne. He was hit flush on the grille on the first legal delivery he faced. However, he ended up fine and negated the barrage with considerable ease as time passed by. His 59-run knockoff 100 deliveries turned out to be pivotal in saving the game for the visitors.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Yuzvendra Chahal vs Australia, December 2020</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1738410652861_Chahal.jpeg" alt="Chahal" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Yuzvendra Chahal (Source: Twitter/X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The series opener between Australia and India in Canberra involved quite a bizarre ending to the first half of the game. Ravindra Jadeja's blitz was one of the primary reasons for India ending up on 161 at the end of their 20 overs. It was even more commendable bearing in mind that the all-rounder was suffering through a hamstring niggle for the majority of his knock. A strike to the helmet on the second delivery of the final over rendered him reportedly displaying symptoms of concussion belatedly.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/yuzvendra-chahal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yuzvendra Chahal</strong></a> came in as Jadeja's substitute and provided an instant impact with the ball in his very first over. He first dismissed Aaron Finch, before making Steve Smith head back to the pavilion in his next over. His third of the evening was that of wicketkeeper-batter, Matthew Wade, caught by the then-T20I skipper, Virat Kohli. Ending with figures of 3/25 in four overs, Chahal was awarded the Player of the Match accolade.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Harshit Rana vs England, January 2025&nbsp;</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1738410844519_harshit-rana.jpeg" alt="Harshit Rana" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Harshit Rana (Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The fourth T20I of the five-match T20I series between India and England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium involved a similar tale to the aforementioned episode which unfolded with Jadeja. It was another left-hander, this time in the form of Shivam Dube. Dube was struck on the helmet a couple of deliveries after recording a fine half-century.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This time around, there was a batting all-rounder in the form of Ramandeep Singh available at the disposal of the hosts. However, an out-and-out bowler, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/harshit-rana/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Harshit Rana</strong></a>, was opted as Dube's replacement during the innings break. Rana, making his T20I debut, struck the second ball after getting introduced in the 12th over of the run-chase.&nbsp; He came back splendidly well after getting clobbered for 18 runs in his second over to end up with figures of 3/33 in a memorable 15-run victory for India.&nbsp;</p>

Before going on to list the three players whose performances as concussion substitutes changed the complexion of the match to their favour, it would be apt to understand the exact set of rules mandate

Players who delivered performances as concussion substitute

Interestingly, there have been seven instances in international cricket of players making their international debut as concussion substitutes.

3 players who delivered game-changing performances as concussion substitute

Concussion Substitute Players: Here are the top three players who led their teams with game-changing batting and bowling performances, only on CricTracker.