Morne Morkel defends Harshit Rana-Shivam Dube concussion sub, blames match referee Javagal Srinath

India might have won the fourth T20I against England on January 30 (Friday) but the decision to include Harshit Rana as the concussion substitute for Shivam Dube became the main topic of discussion from the match.

Rana came in as the concussion substitute for Dube, who was hit on the helmet in the last over of India's innings by a 141.5 kph bouncer from Jamie Overton. The decision was highly criticized as Harshit Rana is a proper fast bowler and not a like-for-like replacement for the batting allrounder Shivam Dube.

After the match, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel defended the team management's decision and called the decision beyond his powers. Morkel revealed that they had just put Rana's name forward which was later approved by the match referee Javagal Srinath.

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Morne Morkel defends Shivam Dube-Harshit Rana's concussion substitution

While speaking to the host broadcaster after the match, Morne Morkel shed light on the whole controversy. Morkel revealed that Shivam Dube was experiencing mild symptoms of concussion after coming back to the dugout.

India's bowling coach claimed that Harshit Rana's name was sent to the match referee Javagal Srinath by the Indian team management and it was approved. Morkel believes that the decision was beyond his powers and blamed it upon the match referee who takes the final call.

"Shivam (Dube) came off the field in the innings break with mild headache symptoms. We took a name forward to the match referee (Javagal Srinath) in terms of a suitable substitution, and from there it is up to the match referee to make the decision," Morne Morkel said.

"When the decision was made, Harshit (Rana) was having dinner. So we had to get him ready as quickly as possible to go on the field and bowl. It goes to the powers above me - match referee makes the decision. We can only take the name forward and from there it is out of our hands," he added.

Harshit Rana's match-turning spell

Harshit Rana returned with fantastic figures on his T20I debut with 3-33 in four overs. The young fast bowler from Delhi picked up the big wicket of Liam Livingstone with just his second ball to shock England.

He went for 18 runs in his second over but came back to bowl a brilliant spell at the death. He picked up the wicket of Jacob Bethell off a slower ball in his third over of the match. Rana maintained his composure when he came back to bowl the penultimate over of the match.

He bowled Jamie Overton off his last over of the spell to turn the match in India's favour. While he didn't get the new ball, he was impressive with his high pace and variations.

India clinch the series

India went on to win a thrilling match on the back of vital knocks from Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya and an excellent bowling spell from Harshit Rana.

Dube smashed 53 off 34 balls while Pandya struck 53 off just 30 balls. Both the all-rounders took India to a respectable 181-9 after they were reduced to 79-5 at one stage. With this win, India have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead with one more match to go.