Archive · 25 Jul 2025
Vaughan on Pant's Bravery, Medical Substitutes and Cricket's Dark Ages
Imagine a cricket player, Rishabh Pant, got hurt during a game.
He had a broken foot but still went out to bat!
A former player, Michael Vaughan, thought this was very brave but also a sign that cricket's rules about substitutes are old-fashioned.
Vaughan thinks if a player is clearly hurt, like with a broken bone, they should be able to be replaced, just like when a player gets a head injury.
He believes this would make the game fairer.
Rishabh Pant batted with a broken foot in the fourth Test against England.
Michael Vaughan believes cricket is in the 'dark ages' regarding medical substitutes.
Vaughan found it odd that Pant could have a wicketkeeper replacement but not a batting/bowling substitute.
Vaughan suggests introducing like-for-like substitutes for injuries proven by scans after two innings.
Vaughan criticized Pant's shot selection that led to the injury.
- Who
- Rishabh Pant, Michael Vaughan, and other cricket players.
- What
- Rishabh Pant played with a broken foot in a cricket match; Michael Vaughan discussed the need for medical substitutes.
- When
- During the fourth Test match.
- Where
- At Old Trafford (mentioned in the article).
- Why
- Vaughan believes current substitution rules are outdated and need changing to allow for replacements in certain injury scenarios.
Current Rules
Proposed Changes
Medical Substitutions
Current Rules
Cricket currently only allows substitutes for concussion.
Proposed Changes
Vaughan argues for more medical substitutes, like in the case of Pant's broken foot.
- Player
- Rishabh Pant
- Injury
- Broken Foot
- Match
- Fourth Test against England
- Vaughan's View
- Cricket is in 'dark ages' regarding subs
- Proposed Solution
- Like-for-like subs after two innings