Maharashtra wicketkeeper-batsman Saurabh Nawale became the first player to be used as a ‘serious injury replacement’ in Indian domestic cricket.
Saurabh replaced Harvik Desai during the semifinal between the West Zone and Central Zone. Playing for the West Zone, Desai scored a solitary run in the first innings and later kept wickets for the team. However, he was replaced by Saurabh after suffering a quadricep injury. The rule was recently implemented by the BCCI for the 2025-206 domestic season, and it allowed the teams to opt for like-for-like replacement in case of serious injury to a player.
Meanwhile, Nawale, who has played 11 games, scoring 697 runs, including a century and six fifties, did not have a great outing with the bat and was dismissed for nine runs, adding 32 runs for the second wicket with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
What Is BCCI Serious Injury Replacement Rule?
The calls for serious injury replacements gained momentum during the England tour when Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes had to take the field for their respective teams despite carrying serious injuries. Pant batted with a broken toe in the fourth Test, while the final Test saw Chris Woakes come out to bat with one arm in a sling due to a dislocated shoulder. The BCCI was proactive and didn’t take long to implement the rule in domestic cricket.
“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,” the rule states.
“The injury should render 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,” it added.
The calls for ICC to consider having such a rule are also on the rise, and a decision on this could be taken soon. However, the cricket world is divided on the opinion, with many supporting the replacement while others fearing that the rule could be misused.