The Indian team won by 15 runs in the T20 match played against England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. With this victory, the Indian team captured the five -match T20 series. If seen, the Indian team has not lost any bilateral T20 series on their home ground in the last six years. The last T20 series defeat at India’s home came against Australia in February 2019. Since then, India played 17 T20 series at their home, out of which it won 15 and two series draw.
Concisition Substitute did wonders
Fast bowler Harshit Rana played an important role in the Indian team’s victory in Pune T20. Harshit rocked the T20 International debut. He moved Liam Livingstone in his first over. Livingstone’s wicket was the turning point in terms of match. Then he also dismissed Jacob Bethel and Jamie overton and destroyed England’s hopes of victory. Harshit took 3 wickets for 33 runs in 4 overs.
Please tell that Harshit Rana had come into this match as a conversion substitute. He was included in the Indian team during this match in place of Shivam Dubey. Shivam suffered a head injury during batting. In the final over of the Indian innings, Jamie overton’s fifth ball hit Shivam’s helmet. He faced only one ball after a head injury. Later, when the Indian team came out to bowl, Shivam was replaced.
Debut in a format (full member team) in a format as a convention
Brian Mudjinganyama (Zimbabwe) vs Sri Lanka Harare, 2020
Neel Rock (Ireland) vs West Indies, Kingston 2022
Khaya Jondo (South Africa) vs Bangladesh, Gakbarha 2022
Matt Parkinson (England) vs New Zealand, Lords 2022
Kamran Ghulam (Pakistan) vs New Zealand, Karachi 2023
Bahir Shah (Afghanistan) vs Bangladesh, Mirpur 2023
Harshit Rana (India) Vs England, Pune 2025
What is conversion substitute rule?
According to the current Rules of the ICC, when a player suffers a head or eye injury on the field during the match, the Concussion Substitute Rule is applied. However, there should be a substance like for likes. Suppose a fast bowler is injured, then the fast bowler should be included in his place. This is clarified in Claus 1.2.7.3.4 of the rule.
Can Harshit Rana be described as the conversion option of Shivam Dubey? Because Harshit is basically fast bowler, Shivam is a batting all -rounder. There is a lot of debate on the fact that if Shivam had already failed in the conversion test, then why was he allowed to bat further.
Former England captains Peterson and Harsha Bhogle, who were commentary, also discussed the issue. Bhogle believed that Ramandeep Singh is a great option for a batting all -rounder like Shivam Dubey. Whereas Peterson argued how an expert fast bowler can replace an all -rounder. Peterson said, ‘Jose Butler was dismissed in frustration as he was not happy with this substation. Ask anyone in the world whether Harshit Rana was a like to like replacement. I am not sure that anyone would say that he was.
In the year 2020, a similar view was seen in the first match of the T20 series between India and Australia. Then in the first T20I of the series, Yuzvendra Chahal was fielded as a conversion substitute in place of Ravindra Jadeja. Due to this, Justin Langer, the then coach of the Kangaroo team, argued with the match referee. Chahal took 3 wickets in that match and won India by 11 runs.