Former England captain Michael Vaughan has raised his voice appealing for a 'like-for-like sub' option in test cricket, even if the injury is not a head injury. Vaughan took to social media, X and voted for the change in rules in test cricket.
During the first day of the England vs India, 4th test in Manchester, Rishabh Pant got injured while attempting a reverse sweep against pacer Chris Woakes. Woakes' ball hit Pant's right foot on the full toss, and Pant had to retire hurt in severe pain.

The concerning photos showed that there was a big cut on Pant's feet and it was bleeding heavily. The Indian wicket-keeper batter was taken away on a buggy and quickly sent for a scan. On Thursday, the reports suggested that Pant would be ruled out of the whole test match due to a fractured toe and would need at least six weeks of rest to recover. Ishan Kishan, who has been playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire, will be added to the Indian squad for the fifth test.
🚨REPORTS 🚨
— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) July 24, 2025
Rishabh Pant has fractured his toe and has been advised to take six weeks of rest. It is unlikely that he would come to bat again in the fourth test in Manchester. #RishabhPant #ENGvIND #Cricket #CricketNews pic.twitter.com/1aPkqQlixb
Can Jurel bat for Rishabh Pant in the second inning?
Now the question is that can anyone bat in place of Rishabh Pant in the second inning of the fourth test? Unfortunately, NO.
As per the current rule, a like-for-like substitution is only allowed in the case of head injuries. If a player gets hit on the head, teams are allowed to name a like-for-like substitute nomination, and if the match referee agrees, that player is substituted.
The first player to be used as a concussion substitute in Test cricket was Marnus Labuschagne. He replaced Steve Smith during the 2019 Ashes series after Smith was struck on the neck by a bouncer from Jofra Archer.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan now wants a change to that rule. Even apart from the head injuries, Vaughan wants the like-for-like substitute option available if anyone gets injured during the first inning of a test match.
"Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests, we should allow like for like Subs .. we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabhs," Vaughn Tweeted.
Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests we should allow like for like Subs .. we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabhs .. https://t.co/MComKbHbyn
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 24, 2025
Why can this be beneficial for teams? So, if a pace bowler gets injured while bowling the first over of the test match, the team would be without a bowler for the whole test match, and the same goes for a batter as well, which is now the case with India and Rishabh Pant.
The change in the rule will allow someone with the same skill as the injured player can replace him/her during the second inning of the test match. This will bring parity to the teams, and fans can also enjoy a better test match. Now, as per the current rule, even though Dhruv Jurel can play as a substitute wicket-keeper, he will not be able to bat in the place of Rishabh Pant.