BCCI introduces ‘Serious Injury Replacement’ rule in India’s domestic cricket; To be enforced from Duleep Trophy 2025.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the introduction of the ‘Serious Injury Replacement Substitute’ rule for India’s domestic multi-day cricket competitions, set to take effect in the 2025-26 season. There have been widespread discussions about the need for a law to allow replacements for players who face serious injuries during a match in the aftermath of the recently concluded five-match Test series between India and England.
Rishabh Pant’s grit and its aftermath
The catalyst for this change can be traced back to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test series between England and India recently. During the fourth Test at Manchester, India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant heroically continued to bat after sustaining a fractured foot, following an inadvertent inside edge off an attempted reverse sweep. Similarly, England’s Chris Woakes played through a dislocated shoulder.
These incidents reignited a fierce debate about whether cricket needed to modernise its approach to non-concussion injuries. Up until now, substitutes were reserved primarily for concussed players. The Pant episode might have proved the breaking point.
Yet, the overwhelming sentiment within India cricket was that risking further damage to an already injured player simply to avoid playing short-handed undermined both player safety and the spirit of fair competition.
Read More: Should injury substitutes be allowed in Test cricket?
What is the Serious Injury Replacement Rule?
The new regulation applies to all multi-day domestic matches in India, starting with the Duleep Trophy on August 28, 2025. It is also applicable to other competitions including the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, Cooch Behar Trophy (U-19), and Col CK Nayudu Trophy (U-23).
As per the rule, any player who sustains an injury due to an external blow within the playing area and cannot participate further in the match, can be allowed a like-for-like replacement by the match referee.
“If a player sustains a serious injury during the course of the relevant match, a Serious Injury Replacement may be permitted in the following circumstances. The serious injury must have been sustained during play and within the playing area described in clause 1.2.5.2. The injury must have occurred due to an external blow and result in fracture/deep cut/ dislocation etc,” stated the newly introduced rule communicated to the state associations.
“The injury should render the player unavailable for the remainder of the match. Identify the requested Serious Injury Replacement, who shall be a like-for-like replacement for the player who has sustained the serious injury,” the rule added.
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The team manager shall submit a Serious Injury Replacement Request to the BCCI Match Referee on a standard form, which shall:
- Identify the player who has sustained the serious injury.
- Specify the incident in which the serious injury was sustained, including the time at which it occurred.
- Confirm that the player has sustained a serious injury and will not be able to participate further in the match due to the injury.
- Identify the requested Serious Injury Replacement, who shall be a like-for-like replacement for the player who has sustained the serious injury.
- In all circumstances, a serious injury replacement player shall be from nominated substitutes at the time of toss.
Exception: If a wicketkeeper is injured and there isn’t another wicketkeeper among the nominated substitutes, the referee may permit a qualified replacement from outside the initial squad.
Practical examples
If a bowler suffers a fracture from a ball hit back at him and cannot continue, a reserve player meeting the ‘like-for-like’ rule (another bowler of similar profile) can replace him.
A batter suffering a deep external cut that needs hospital care and cannot return may be replaced by another batter from the prescribed list.
Read More: Duleep Trophy 2025-26: Overview of zonal squads, schedule & players to watch out for
Could the ICC follow suit?
BCCI’s introduction of the rule is partly seen as a pilot project on behalf of global cricket. According to reports, the ICC has discussed similar provisions for international cricket but has not yet acted decisively. The regulation is being implemented at the ICC’s behest for one season in India’s domestic multi-day competitions, a signal that world cricket’s governing body is open to observing its efficacy at scale before wider adoption.
Earlier, calls for such provisions were met with reluctance or outright dismissal, citing risks of manipulation and the sanctity of the playing XI. However, recent high-profile injuries in global cricket and the speed at which the BCCI moved after the Pant incident have thrust the issue to the forefront of regulatory discussions. If the rule functions smoothly in India, it’s likely to serve as a blueprint for global adoption, making domestic cricket a laboratory of innovation for the sport.
BCCI implements ICC ball change rule
The BCCI has also aligned with the ICC’s fresh regulation regarding the use of balls in ODIs. This adjustment marks the end of the practice of using two separate balls throughout the match. The updated rule will debut in the forthcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s 50-over tournament for senior men.
According to the revised guideline, every fielding side will start their innings with two new balls, switching between the two in alternate overs from each end for the first 34 overs. Upon completion of the 34th over, the fielding captain must select one of the two balls, which will then be used exclusively for the remainder of the innings. The unused ball will be set aside as a replacement option if needed later in the game.
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