Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules in Rishabh Pant Case, Mentions Sourav Ganguly
Sunil Gavaskar slams ICC rules after India’s star cricketer Rishabh Pant suffered a foot injury in the ongoing Test match. The former India captain strongly criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s current policy on player substitutions and even mentioned Sourav Ganguly, who heads the ICC Cricket Committee.
Gavaskar said the current rules allow concussion substitutes, but do not offer a clear structure for injury replacements, which creates confusion and unfair situations on the field. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
Why Gavaskar Is Upset
India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant hurt his foot during the match and was unable to continue keeping wickets. Dhruv Jurel came in to take the gloves, but Pant still had to come out to bat in the first innings. Gavaskar found this unfair and used this situation to highlight flaws in ICC’s substitution policies.
He said,
“Here, it is a clear injury (Pant); there has to be a substitute.”
Gavaskar believes that concussion-related substitutions are being misused, and there needs to be a separate rule for clear injuries like Pant’s. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
Injury vs Incompetence: Gavaskar’s Strong Words
The legendary Indian batter did not hold back. He drew a sharp line between genuine injury and what he called “incompetence.” In simple words, Gavaskar criticized situations where players are substituted after getting hit by a short ball because they were not skilled enough to face it.
“If you’re not good enough to play short-pitched bowling, don’t play Test cricket; go and play tennis or golf,” he said.
He further added, Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
“You’re giving a like-for-like substitute for somebody who can’t play the short ball and gets hit. That’s not right.”
Gavaskar believes this undermines the core idea of Test cricket, which requires toughness and skill.
Gavaskar Mentions Sourav Ganguly, Jay Shah, and Sanjog Gupta
Gavaskar also pointed out that the ICC already has a Cricket Committee, which is headed by Sourav Ganguly. He named other key ICC leaders like Jay Shah (Chairman) and Sanjog Gupta (CEO). However, Gavaskar feels this committee might not be enough to handle complex injury-substitution decisions.
“I want a new committee, maybe with medical experts, to decide on substitution cases that involve real injuries,” Gavaskar said.
Call for a New Independent Committee
To avoid bias or criticism from media—especially from Australia and England, Gavaskar wants the ICC to form a completely independent panel to decide on such substitutions. He believes medical professionals should be included in this group. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
“Let that committee come to a decision. We don’t want people saying, ‘Oh, because it’s India, they changed the rules.’”
Why Medical Experts Matter
Gavaskar’s suggestion includes the presence of qualified doctors in the decision-making team. According to him, such experts can properly evaluate whether a player’s substitution is necessary due to a real physical injury, and not just discomfort or poor technique. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
Current ICC Rule: Concussion Substitutes Only
As per existing ICC rules:
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Teams are allowed like-for-like substitutes for concussion injuries.
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There is no substitution allowed for other injuries unless the fielding side uses a temporary sub (who cannot bat/keep). Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
This is what led to the confusion in Pant’s case — he could not keep wickets, but had to bat, as there’s no provision for full substitution due to non-concussion injuries. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
Gavaskar’s Key Arguments Summed Up
| Issue | Gavaskar’s Viewpoint |
|---|---|
| Concussion substitutes | Being misused for “incompetence” |
| Injury substitutes | Should be allowed, especially for clear injuries |
| ICC Cricket Committee | Should not be the only decision-making body |
| Need for new committee | Include medical experts and make unbiased decisions |
| Concern over media narrative | Rules should be fair and global, not India-centric |
Many fans on social media supported Gavaskar’s bold remarks, saying Test cricket must maintain high standards and fairness. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
However, some experts feel Gavaskar’s “tennis or golf” comment was too harsh and lacked empathy for players dealing with serious head injuries. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
Still, his core message is clear: rules should differentiate between inability and real injuries.
Pant’s Role in the Test Match
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Injured during the second day’s play
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Could not keep wickets on Day 3
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Dhruv Jurel took over as keeper
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Pant still had to bat, despite the injury
This raised questions on whether ICC rules are outdated and unsafe for players. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
What Could Happen Next?
With Gavaskar’s comments gaining traction, the ICC might:
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Review its substitution policies
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Form a special injury-related decision-making committee
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Introduce more flexible rules for non-concussion injuries
It remains to be seen if Sourav Ganguly or the ICC responds to Gavaskar’s call. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
Gavaskar Fires Warning Shot at ICC
Sunil Gavaskar slams ICC rules over the handling of Rishabh Pant’s injury and has sparked an important debate in world cricket. By mentioning Sourav Ganguly, Jay Shah, and Sanjog Gupta, Gavaskar has taken the issue directly to the top of the cricketing ladder. Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Rules
His message is simple:
“Let cricket be fair. Don’t protect incompetence. But don’t punish genuine injuries either.”
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