BCCI Update: Players Can Now Be Replaced for Major Injuries in Multi-Day Cricket

BCCI Update: Players Can Now Be Replaced for Major Injuries in Multi-Day Cricket

BCCI introduces a like-for-like major injury replacement rule in domestic cricket and multi-day cricket for the upcoming season. A new rule forced by the BCCI after Rishabh Pant's injury in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy.

A “serious injury replacement substitute” has finally been introduced by the BCCI in order to prevent injury for domestic cricket now players can prevent risking further in the match. This rule is applied for the game that lasts for longer days and from the Duleep trophy starting on 28th August this rule will be applied. And for the Ranji trophy this rule will be applied.

The BCCI has introduced a new rule that allows teams to replace a seriously injured player during multi-day matches. This change comes after Rishabh Pant famously batted with a broken foot against England in Manchester, sparking debate about player safety. Now, if a player gets badly hurt during the game like suffering a fracture or deep cut they can be swapped out for a non-playing squad member. But the injury must be external and happen during the match. Muscle strains or internal injuries don’t count.

To make the switch, teams must submit a medical report proving the seriousness of the injury. The replacement must be a like-for-like player and already listed among the substitutes named at the toss. The match referee has to approve the change. However, if the injured player is a wicketkeeper and there’s no backup keeper among the named substitutes, the referee may allow a replacement from outside the original list.

Both the injured player and the replacement will be considered as having played in the match for record-keeping and stats. This rule is a big step forward, especially since international cricket currently only allows substitutions for concussion or Covid-related issues. During India’s tour of England, Pant and England’s Chris Woakes both played through dislocations, leaving their teams effectively a player short. Their bravery reignited the conversation about whether serious injury subs should be allowed.

India coach Gautam Gambhir supported the idea, while England captain Ben Stokes was more cautious, worried that teams might misuse the rule. The ICC has said it’s open to member countries testing this rule in domestic cricket before considering it for international matches.

In another update, the BCCI has adopted the ICC’s new ball-change rule for ODIs. Starting with the Vijay Hazare Trophy, each team will use two new balls one from each end for the first 34 overs. After that, the fielding side will choose one of those balls to use for the rest of the innings. The unused ball will go back into the pool of replacement balls.