Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Concussion substitute ignites controversy in Gujarat-Kerala semi-final

A storm of controversy erupted during the first semi-final of the 2024-25 edition of the Ranji Trophy between Gujarat and Kerala at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, February 20. A debate raged around the concussion substitute which was introduced by the tourists on Day 4 of the game.

On Wednesday, India and Gujarat leg spinner, Ravi Bishnoi, had injured his face while fielding during Kerala's innings. He left the field of play early on Wednesday to receive treatment for a nosebleed incident. However, to replace Bishnoi, seam-bowling all-rounder, Hemang Patel, was slotted into the XI, a development which Kerala were intimated of post the day's play.

After Kerala off-spinner, Jalaj Saxena, snapped a couple of wickets in the first session of Day 4, Gujarat sent in Hemang at No. 5. Interestingly, he was promoted ahead of the side's leading run-scorer for the current edition, Jaymeet Patel, and skipper, Chintan Gaja. Saxena was spotted arguing with the on-field umpires regarding the disparity of the two players' roles bearing in mind the usual like-for-like replacement to be followed with respect to concussion substitutes.

“Ravi Bishnoi is a bowler and he generally bats 9 or 10 for their side. And then as a concussion player, you are getting a player who bats really well and is promoted to bat at Number 5. I think that was unfair for us and that’s what I was telling the umpire. At least, if you have taken a batter in place of him, make him play at Number 11. He scored some crucial runs at that point and it was very visible that he wasn’t a bowler. He was a batter who could bowl and not a like-for-like replacement for Bishnoi,” stated a disgruntled Saxena, as quoted by The Indian Express.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Semifinals 1 & 2, Day 4 Review

Hemang's 27-run knock off 41 balls seemed to have made quite a difference to the complexion of the game, as Gujarat trail Kerala's 457 by only 28 runs after Day 4 in a bid to secure the lead and hence, a berth in the final.

Hemang was fielded over Kshitij Patel, Umang Kumar, and Het Patel - three players possessing a better First-Class average than him in the squad. However, according to Saxena and the Kerala team management, his inclusion was labelled as "unfair" on Kerala.