"The match referee should…"- Kevin Pietersen harps on Harshit Rana for Shivam Dube concussion substitute saga

Former cricketer Kevin Pietersen is still upset over the concussion substitute controversy in the fourth T20I of the ongoing series between India and England. Kevin Pietersen said that England lost the match due to their batters' mistakes, but the match referee made the wrong decision regarding the substitute.

Shivam Dube was struck on the helmet in the final over of India's innings. The left-handed batter was later substituted after sustaining a concussion. Right-arm fast bowler Harshit Rana was brought in as his replacement for the second half of the match and made an impact by taking three wickets in Pune.

India Defeated England by 15 Runs in Fourth T20I to Secure 3-1 Series Win

India defeated England by 15 runs in the fourth T20I on Friday, January 31, securing the series 3-1 with one match remaining. The controversy erupted with Harshit Rana's substitution for Shivam Dube as it was not a 'like-for-like' replacement. Jos Buttler also refused to accept that it was a like-for-like replacement.

Dube is a batter and Rana is a specialist pacer. Former England players Nick Knight and Alastair Cook also criticized the officials for approving the substitution. However, the Jos Buttler-led team will be hoping for a consolation victory, set to take place in Mumbai on Sunday, before heading into the ODIs.

Concussion Sub Is Quite the Topic Everywhere Here - Kevin Pietersen

Speaking ahead of the fifth and final T20I between India and England, Kevin Pietersen said that the substitution was not a "like-for-like" replacement and added that the referee should admit the error. He added that the issue should be closed, and the focus should shift to the next game.

“Concussion sub is quite the topic everywhere here atm and my view is…it was NEVER a like-for-like replacement and the match referee should just hold his hand up and say he got that one wrong. End of event for good and we move on to another great clash this evening,” Kevin Pietersen wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Concussion sub is quite the topic everywhere here atm and my view is…it was NEVER a like for like replacement and the match referee should just hold his hand up and say he got that one wrong.
End of event for good and we move on to another great clash this evening. 💫

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) February 2, 2025

The Argument Would Have Gone in Such a Way - Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar acknowledged that India was able to convince officials by arguing that they needed a bowler as a replacement because they planned to use Dube for four overs. Manjrekar emphasized that India made their case effectively, which led to the decision being approved.

"Whether he is exactly like-for-like, not sure. Anyone out there would know that a Shivam Dube is not similar to Harshit Rana. But India could put up a case, which is what they had to do - convince the officials," he said while talking on ESPNcricinfo.

"The argument would have gone in such a way that India would have said we are planning to use Dube for four overs and we have lost his services because of the concussion issue and we want a bowler for that," he added.

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