Concussion-sub rule called 'incompetent', Sunil Gavaskar argues 'go play tennis if you can't handle bouncers'

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar (PTI Photo)

Sunil Gavaskar has blasted at the ICC for enacting the concussion-sub rule in 2019 and has called for the formation of a new committee, arguing that it is for the weak. The argument about the necessity of a new substitution rule — which permits the player to bowl or bat in place of the injured cricketer — has been ignited by Rishabh Pant's reportedly fractured toe. For instance: an all-rounder for an all-rounder, a wicketkeeper for a wicketkeeper, and so on if the injury is external, like Pant's.

Gavaskar was critical of the current concussion-sub regulation, which permits a player to be substituted. Marnus Labuschagne, during the 2019 Ashes, became the world's first concussion sub in cricket, replacing Steve Smith when Jofra Archer smacked him in the head, and the former Australian captain had to retire hurt. Never one to hold back, Gavaskar publicly stated that he does not like the rule and that players would be better off playing tennis or golf, where there is less chance of injury, if they are unable to handle short balls.

"I've always felt that you are giving a like-for-like substitute for incompetence. If you are not good enough to play short-pitched bowling, don’t play Test cricket; go and play tennis or golf. You are giving a like-for-like substitute for somebody who can’t play the short ball and gets hit,” Gavaskar said during a discussion on the Sony Sports Network.

"Here, it is a clear injury (Pant); there has to be a substitute. I want some sort of committee appointed to take a call on this. There is a cricket committee, ICC has a cricket committee, but at the moment, that's headed by Sourav Ganguly, the ICC chairman is Jay Shah, and the ICC CEO is Sanjog Gupta."

In the ongoing Test against England at Manchester, India is one player down due to Pant's injury. Pant was compelled to bat in the first innings because the series was on the line, and he is anticipated to return in the second innings as well, if the need arise. Even though Pant is being treated unfairly, it is what it is. The substitute rule is a contentious issue in cricket, with David Lloyd supporting it and former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel opposing it. Although Gavaskar also falls into the "for the motion" side, he believes that a new committee should be established in order to avoid blaming Indians.

"We don’t want a situation for the media here in particular and in Australia to say ‘Oh, because it’s an Indian situation, they have started to do that’. So, let it be a totally different committee to look at these injuries, maybe with doctors, etc, and let that committee come to a call," he added.