India pacer Harshit Rana's T20I debut as a concussion substitute replacing all-rounder Shivam Dube in the fourth T20I win over England in Pune has sparked a controversy among fans and pundits alike. Match referee Javagal Srinath's decision to approve Rana as a 'like-for-like' replacement for the hard-hitting Dube who scored a match-defining half-century did not go down well with England captain Jos Buttler after his missed out on levelling the series by 15 runs. The young Rana would turn up to be the thorn in the English chase, picking three wickets in four overs replacing Dube who was hit by a short ball from Jamie Overton on the penultimate ball of India's innings. Former England captain Alastair Cook was stumped by Rana's inclusion. Talking to TNT Sports, Cook said, “Replacing a big-hitting batting all-rounder, who has bowled one over in the IPL [in 2024], with a guy who can't bat and bowls heavy seam makes no sense to me whatsoever. How can an out & out bowler replace a batter who bowls part time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #INDvsENG— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 31, 2025 “It seems absolute madness that you are allowed to do it, but credit to the lad on debut, but he shouldn't be allowed to play there. It gave the captain another brilliant option.” Michael Vaughan also to social media and said: "How can an out & out bowler replace a batter who bowls part time!" Similar reactions arose from the home base too, with former India opener Aakash Chopra questioning Rana's inclusion. "It’s not really a like-for-like replacement if Harshit bowls….which he should. Ramandeep (Singh) was the ideal ‘concussion replacement’ for Dube," Chopra wrote on X. With India clinching the series, the final rubber will be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
