ICC eyes major shift: Rishabh Pant’s injury reignites push for like-for-like subs

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively considering a major amendment to its playing conditions that could allow like-for-like substitutions for players who sustain external injuries during a match.

According to TOI sources familiar with the matter, the proposal is under serious discussion and is likely to be ratified in the ICC’s upcoming cricket committee meeting later this year.

There is a chance that teams will get to bring in a replacement for serious external injuries. The matter is already under deliberation. A ratification is expected in the next ICC cricket committee meeting,” an ICC source told TOI.


This development comes in the wake of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant sustaining a significant foot injury on the opening day of the fourth Test against England.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the limitations of current substitution rules, which do not permit injured players to be replaced for batting or bowling roles—leaving teams exposed and, at times, compromised in competitiveness.

A potential shift in playing conditions

In June, the ICC had announced a pilot provision for Full Member nations, allowing for the trial of replacement players in cases of serious on-field injuries.

“A player who suffers a serious injury on the field of play any time after the match has started (including any pre-match warm-up period) may be replaced for the remainder of the match by a fully participating like-for-like player," the global cricket body had announced.

This proposed change is expected to address a long-standing gap in Test cricket regulations and aligns with calls from former cricketers and commentators.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been among the vocal supporters of this initiative.

Speaking to BBC Sport earlier, Vaughan argued that permitting replacements—particularly during the first innings—would enhance fairness and ensure the quality of competition remains intact for spectators and players alike.

“If there’s a genuine injury in the first innings, it affects the game and the entertainment, which fans pay money to watch,” Vaughan said. “The first innings is a good cutoff to make it fair.”

Pant’s recent injury provides a convincing case in support of the proposed change.

After being struck on the foot by a delivery from England’s Chris Woakes on the first day, Pant went back to batting for the next game despite visible discomfort and limited mobility.

He was forced off the field, showing signs of significant swelling and bleeding, and had to be assisted out in a golf cart marked as an ambulance after he was initially injured.

Pant’s resilience shows regulatory gaps

At the time of the incident, Pant was batting on 37 off 48 balls and struggling to run singles—an issue that cost India several scoring opportunities.

His determination to stay at the crease made for a stirring moment in the match but also exposed how teams currently have no alternative when a frontline batter is injured mid-innings.

Notably, this was Pant’s second injury of the series.

In the third Test at Lord’s, he had bruised a finger while keeping wicket, which ruled him out from donning the gloves during England’s second innings. Dhruv Jurel had stepped in as a substitute wicketkeeper under existing rules that allow replacements only in fielding roles.