Aakash Chopra has sided with England on the use of the concussion substitute rule during the fourth T20I in Pune. Shivam Dube couldn’t take the field after being hit on the helmet in the last over of Team India’s innings and was replaced by Harshit Rana for the remaining part of the contest. It was not a like-to-like replacement as Rana is a specialist fast bowler while Dube plays as a batter.

It helped India in winning the match by 15 runs as Harshit took three wickets. England captain Jos Buttler was not pleased with the officials for allowing Harshit as Dube’s replacement and refused to accept the decision. Former players Kevin Pietersen, Nick Knight and Alastair Cook also questioned the decision.

Aakash feels India could be at the recieving end of the rule in the future. He urged India to make noise to get mor clarification from the International Cricket Council before its too late.

“This ‘concussion sub’ rule with the ‘like for like’ clause has opened a Pandora’s box. Substitution has to be allowed by the Match Referee. Team asking for it has to propose name/s. Yesterday’s decision left some questions unanswered,” he wrote.

Aakash then gave examples of Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma.

“Say if Tilak got subbed—would it be okay to bring Sundar in the second innings? If Abhishek got subbed—Can India replace him with Jadeja/Axar as a bowler in the second innings?” he mentioned.

He also suggested a solution. “Asking these questions now because India could be at the receiving end in the future…say in an ICC knockout game…and instead of crying foul then..it’s best to make some noise now.”

India are 3-1 ahead with one match left in Mumbai. After the T20I series, the two teams will compete in a three-match ODI series.