'It's not a like-for-like replacement, we don't agree with that' - Jos Buttler on Harshit Rana playing as concussion substitute

Jos Buttler expressed his displeasure regarding Harshit Rana being allowed to come in for Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute during the fourth T20I between India and England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday, January 31.

Dube scored a fantastic half-century (53) in the first innings and his 87-run partnership with Hardik Pandya for the sixth wicket bailed India out of a precarious position. However, the southpaw got hit on his helmet by a Jamie Overton delivery in the last over of the Indian innings.

Dube was unable to field in the second innings due to a concussion. Ramandeep Singh initially stepped out on the field in place of the Mumbai all-rounder. However, Harshit was eventually named as the concussion substitute. India went into an advantageous position with this move as a specialist seamer replaced a batting all-rounder. This didn't sit well with the England captain as he voiced his annoyance after the match.

"Either Shivam Dube has put on about 25 mph with the ball or Harshit has really improved his batting. It's not a like-for-like replacement, we don't agree with that. It's part of the game, I still think we should have gone on to win the match but we disagree with the decision," Buttler fumed.

The experienced cricketer said that he wasn't taken into confidence before the decision was made. When he asked the umpires, they informed him that the match referee, Javagal Srinath, had made the call. Buttler asserted that he would ask him about his decision.

"There's no consultation. It was something as I came out to bat, I was thinking 'who's Harshit on for' and I was told he was the concussion replacement, which I obviously disagreed with, it's not a like-for-like replacement. They [umpires] said the match referee had made the decision so we had no say in it or any part of it. We'll ask Javagal Srinath [match referee] some questions just to get some clarity around it," Buttler noted.

Also Check: Twitter Reactions: Harry Brook's blistering half-century goes in vain as India seal series in Pune

According to ICC rules, the match referee has to approve the concussion substitute. Generally, it has to be a like-for-like replacement and the substitute is not expected to give a dramatic advantage to the team.

"If the ICC Match Referee believes that the inclusion of the nominated Concussion Replacement, when performing their normal role, would excessively advantage their team, the ICC Match Referee may impose such conditions upon the identity and involvement of the Concussion Replacement as he/she sees fit, in line with the overriding objective of facilitating a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player," reads the rule.

Rana picked up the wickets of Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton, playing a vital role in India's 15-run win, which helped them take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Buttler said that Rana didn't win the match single-handedly for India but he contributed significantly.

"No, we had no consultation in the game or were asked about it. It's not the whole reason why we didn't win the match and we had our chances to win the game, which we could have still taken. But yeah, I'd like to just get a bit of clarity around that," Buttler complained.