The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a major change to its playing conditions for the upcoming 2025-26 domestic season, introducing the “Serious Injury Replacement” rule in multi-day formats. Under the new regulation, teams will now be allowed to bring in a like-for-like substitute if a player sustains a serious injury during the course of a match. The move is seen as a significant step forward in protecting players’ health and ensuring fair competition.
The rule takes inspiration from the concussion replacement protocol that is already in place across international and domestic cricket, but extends the flexibility to cover a wider range of serious injuries that can occur on the field. Officials said the decision was influenced by recent high-profile incidents, including Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate injury during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which left his side heavily disadvantaged. With this rule, teams won’t be forced to continue with one player effectively out of action for the remainder of the game, thereby restoring balance. While the introduction has been largely welcomed by players and coaches, some observers have cautioned that the system will need clear guidelines and strict monitoring to avoid misuse.
