5 Cricketers To Make Global Debut As Substitute

Want to know about the 5 Cricketers To Make Global Debut As Substitute? Well, if you answered yes, you have landed on the perfect article. 

Here, we have shortlisted 5 cricketers who have made their international debut in concussion matches against well-performing teams worldwide. 

Recently, Harshit Rana became the first Indian to make his debut as a concussion substitute in the fourth Twenty20 International against England, taking Shivam Dube’s place when he was hurt.

To learn all about this subject, we recommend you stick to this article until the end. 

What Is ICC’s Concussion Sub Rule?

Concussion substitutes have to be like-for-like according to ICC rules. If an all-rounder is switched, they cannot be allowed to bowl, and a batsman can only be replaced by another batsman. A concussion assessment must be conducted by the team’s physician or physiotherapist, and the match referee has the last say about replacements. Even if they recover during the game, a player who has been ruled out cannot return.

List Of 5 Cricketers To Make Global Debut As Substitute

Here, we will discuss all 5 Cricketers To Make Global Debut As Substitute in detail. To grasp the entire information, scroll down to this article and read it thoroughly.

1. Neil Rock 

During a Twenty20 International match, Irish cricketer Neil Rock made his debut for his country as a substitute due to a concussion. Lorcan Tucker, who was unable to play because of a concussion caused during the game, was replaced by him. Under the ICC’s concussion substitute rule, which permits a like-for-like replacement if a player sustains a head injury, Rock, a left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, filled in. His debut brought to light how crucial player safety is in modern cricket. Rock’s inclusion showed how versatile and deep Ireland’s team is under difficult conditions. This milestone proved how changing regulations assures player well-being and competitive balance, marking a new entry into international cricket.

2. Matt Parkinson 

In Test cricket, Matt Parkinson became the first player to replace an England player who had suffered a concussion. In the first Test match against New Zealand at Lord’s in June 2022, he took Jack Leach’s place after he sustained a concussion while fielding. Parkinson, a leg-spinner, made his awaited international Test debut after being called up from Manchester and flown to London. Although he had not participated in a Test match, he had previously played limited-overs cricket for England. His presence highlighted how crucial concussion measures are becoming nowadays for cricket. Parkinson’s versatility and the importance of player safety in international cricket were made clear in his debut. 

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3. Kamran Ghulam

On December 14, 2023, Kamran Ghulam made his debut for his country as a concussion substitution during Pakistan’s Test match against Australia in Perth. After Imam-ul-Haq sustained a concussion during fielding, he took his place. Despite being given his first Test cap under strange situations, Kamran, a gifted middle-order batsman, remained composed and strong. He has long been on the outside of national selection while being a productive domestic player. Kamran was able to show off his abilities on the world stage against a strong Australian team thanks to this opportunity.

4. Bahir Shah 

Afghan cricketer Bahir Shah made his Test debut in 2023 as a substitute for a player who had a concussion against Bangladesh at Mirpur. In Afghanistan’s second innings, Shah came on as a number seven batsman to replace an injured colleague. He hit one boundary and seven runs off thirteen deliveries. He has only played in one Test match thus far. 

5. Harshit Rana 

On January 31, 2025, Harshit Rana played his first Twenty20 International match for India in Pune against England. After all-rounder Shivam Dube was hit on the helmet in the last over of India’s innings, he was brought on as a concussion replacement. Jos Buttler, the captain of England, questioned the “like-for-like” aspect of Rana’s inclusion, pointing out that Rana is a specialist bowler and Dube is largely a batsman who rarely bowls. Rana gave a good performance despite the controversy. In four overs, he claimed three wickets for 33 runs and played a vital run-out, which helped India limit England to 166 runs and win by 15 runs. 

Conclusion

Cricket players now have a rare and important chance to make their international debut under extraordinary circumstances thanks to the idea of concussion substitutes. Due to head injuries, these five players had to step in as substitutes, but they have not only shown that they are flexible, but they are also prepared to provide their best effort. Their ability to act quickly, frequently under pressure shows how crucial flexibility and mental toughness are in cricket. It will be interesting to observe how these incidents affect future athletes’ careers as the rule develops.

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