Image Credit: BCCI
Gautham Gambhir backs injury substitute, Ben Stokes opposes
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has voiced support for allowing injury substitutes in Test cricket after Rishabh Pant’s heroic innings with a fractured foot in the fourth Test against England. Pant, despite suffering the injury while attempting a reverse sweep, managed to score a crucial half-century before being forced to leave the field. His fighting spirit has renewed calls for revisiting rules related to injury replacements.
Gambhir argued that cricket should adapt to ensure fairness when players are sidelined by serious injuries. He suggested that teams should not be penalized for circumstances beyond their control and should be allowed to bring in a like-for-like replacement. According to him, playing with 10 men puts a team at a significant disadvantage, especially in tightly contested matches.
England captain Ben Stokes, however, dismissed the idea of injury substitutes, calling the debate “absolutely ridiculous.” He stressed that managing injuries is part of the game and that expanding the substitution rule could lead to exploitation. Stokes emphasized that existing concussion replacement rules are sufficient to ensure player safety without changing the traditional structure of Test cricket.
Pant’s injury has ruled him out of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Narayan Jagadeesan has been named as his replacement, while Dhruv Jurel is expected to continue as the primary wicketkeeper. India, trailing 2–1 in the series, will need a strong performance to level the contest without their dynamic left-handed batter.
The debate over injury substitutes has divided opinions in cricket circles. Supporters highlight player safety and fairness, while critics warn that it could compromise the essence of the longest format of the game.
