Manchester: On the first day of the fourth test, Rishabh Pant’s foot injury has triggered a debate around the need to allow external injuries such as replacement. The pants were going out to bat with a broken metatarsal for a great story, but it was a decision forced on the team, as the game position does not allow an option to bat or bowl. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is close to bringing a provision for the kind of replacement like this year, toi has learned.A source in the ICC said, “There is an opportunity that teams will be found to bring in a replacement for serious external injuries. The matter is already subject to discussion. The next ICC Cricket Committee meeting is expected to have a permission in the meeting of the next ICC Cricket Committee.”
In June, the ICC announced that the status of a ‘replacement-khiladi’ would be tested by full members of the world body. The ICC said in a statement on 25 June, “A player who is suffering from serious injury in the field of playing at any time after the match begins (including any pre-match warm-up period) can be replaced by a player who is fully participated for the remaining part of the match.” Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been vocal in his support to allow appropriate replacement. Vaughan told the BBC Sport two months ago, “The first innings of the game should allow replacement of injury to the test.” “If there is a real innings actual injury, it affects sports and entertainment, which fans pay money to see. The first innings is a good cutoff to make it fair.” India, finally, when the pants were at the crease, let go out of a lot of runs as it could not run enough to complete the clear single.
