BCCI Introduces ‘Serious Injury Replacement’ Rule, After Pant Injury

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented a "Serious Injury Replacement" rule for multi-day domestic cricket matches beginning in 2025–2026 as a historic change to its playing conditions.

The Need for Change

The regulation was brought about by events in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where Chris Woakes of England had a dislocated shoulder and India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant suffered a severe foot fracture during the fourth Test in Manchester.

The BCCI took action as a result of these injuries, which brought attention to the lack of provisions for significant replacements in longer formats.

Introducing the SIR Rule

In order to maintain player welfare and competitive balance, the new rule permits clubs to swap a like-for-like player for a player who suffers a major injury during a game.

To be eligible:

• The injury must happen within the designated playing area and during play.
• The player must sustain injuries from an external impact that prevents them from continuing in the game, such as fractures, serious wounds, or dislocations.

Implementation Process

• When deciding whether an injury calls for a replacement, umpires have the last word; they may confer with the match referee or the on-field medical staff at Outlook India.
• In order to identify the injured player, teams must promptly submit a formal request to the match referee.