Veteran Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena was visibly unhappy with how the concussion substitute rule was implemented after Gujarat spinner Ravi Bishnoi suffered an injury during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy semi-final in Ahmedabad.
Instead of a like-for-like replacement, Gujarat named pace-bowling all-rounder Hemang Patel as the substitute. Patel, who batted at No. 5, contributed 27 runs. Kerala had put up a strong first-innings total of 457, thanks to Mohammad Azharuddeen’s marathon century.
Gujarat started strong with a 131-run opening stand between Priyank Panchal and Aarya Desai. With both teams batting long, the match was heading for a draw, making the first-innings lead crucial. Kerala fought back, taking two quick wickets to reduce Gujarat to 277-3 before Hemang Patel came in to bat.
Jalaj Saxena criticized the move, claiming it violated the like-for-like concussion substitute rule, as Bishnoi wouldn’t have batted so high. He was also seen confronting the on-field officials after the all-rounder came out to bat.
“Ravi Bishnoi is a bowler and he generally bats 9 or 10 for their side. And then as a concussion player, you are getting a player who bats really well and is promoted to bat number 5. I think that was unfair for us and that’s what I was telling the umpire. At least, if you have taken a batsman in place of him, make him play at number 11,” Saxena told the Indian Express.
Gujarat had three other bench options—Kshitij Patel, Umang Kumar, and Het Patel—but opted for Hemang Patel, whose superior batting skills gave them an advantage over Bishnoi.
A similar loophole in the concussion substitute rule was seen recently when India brought in Harshit Rana for the injured Shivam Dube in the fourth T20I against England.
Ranji Trophy semifinal between Kerala and Gujarat hangs in the balance
Gujarat finished Day 4 at 429-7, just shy of Kerala’s first-innings total. Kerala started the final day strongly, removing the well-set Jaymeet Patel and Siddharth Desai early.
With nine wickets down, Gujarat still needed 11 runs to level the score. The last-wicket duo of Azran Nagwaswalla and Priyajitsing Jadeja battled for over 10 overs but ultimately fell just two runs short.
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