Harshit Rana made an unexpected entry into international T20 cricket on Friday (January 31) as he debuted for Team India in a rather unusual manner. The young pacer was called in as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube during the fourth T20I against England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Dube sustained a head injury while batting in the final over of India’s innings. On the fifth ball of the 20th over, a sharp bouncer from Jamie Overton struck him on the helmet as he attempted a pull shot but failed to connect. Overton immediately checked on Dube, who signaled that he was fine and went on to face the last delivery of the innings.
However, he did not return to the field for the second innings, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to announce that Harshit Rana would replace him as a concussion substitute. Before being ruled out, Dube had played a crucial role in stabilizing India’s innings.
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After a disastrous start, where the hosts were reduced to 12/3 and later 79/5, Dube, alongside Hardik Pandya, rescued the team. Both all-rounders smashed quickfire fifties, with Dube scoring 53 off 34 balls and Pandya matching him with 53 off 30 balls. Their contributions propelled India to a competitive total of 181/9.
🚨 UPDATE 🚨
Harshit Rana is the concussion substitute for Shivam Dube.
Follow The Match ▶️ https://t.co/pUkyQwxOA3 #TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2025
For Harshit Rana, this marked his first appearance in T20I cricket, though he is no stranger to the format. The pacer made a significant impact in IPL 2024, playing a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title-winning campaign. He finished as the tournament’s fifth-highest wicket-taker, claiming 19 wickets in 13 matches.
His standout performances in the IPL earned him a place in India’s squad, and he went on to make his Test debut against Australia. So far, Rana has played two Tests for India, and in T20s, he has featured in 25 matches, picking up 28 wickets.
His sudden inclusion as a concussion substitute took fans by surprise, but it also provided the young pacer with a golden opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage as he took a couple of wickets as well.
Ramandeep is more like to like replacement for Shivam Dube than Harshit Rana
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 31, 2025
This wicket from Harshit Rana will be registered in Shivam Dube’s record in my book. Well bowled Dube.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 31, 2025
It’s outrageous to have Harshit Rana as a concussion sub for Shivam Dube (two completely different player types). India are literally playing with 12 players here.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) January 31, 2025
Harshit Rana (two career T20 runs) has been allowed to come in as a like-for-like concussion sub for Shivam Dube (nine overs in his last 12 T20Is). Hmm
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) January 31, 2025
How Harshit Rana is a like to like replacement for Shivam Dube?
Is match refree dumb? Does he know anything about cricket?
This is proper cheating from BCCI. Shivam Dube is a part timer & is useless bowler in T20I who doesn’t bowl in IPL as well for India much.
Shameful!!
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 31, 2025
Gambhir nai Harshit Rana ko bowling karane kai liye Kya Script Likhi hai pic.twitter.com/ecqAUgl9bN
— The StatPadder (@The_statpadder) January 31, 2025
ICC will definitely have to re-look at ‘concussion sub’ rule because in no way, Harshit Rana was like-to-like replacement for Shivam Dube. I think Ramandeep Singh would have been the ideal & fair concussion sub.#INDvsENG #ShivamDube #HarshitRana
— Rohan Gulaty (@rohan_gulaty) January 31, 2025
Harshit Rana#INDvsENG https://t.co/12psdqC0yA pic.twitter.com/TzulZxkGhx
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) January 31, 2025
