Complete List of Concussion Substitutes in IPL History

The Concussion Substitute Rule in the IPL: Prioritizing Player Safety

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is globally renowned for its high-octane drama, breathtaking finishes, and constant evolution. Over the years, the tournament has introduced several innovative rules to keep the game dynamic and competitive. From the tactical nuances of the Impact Player rule to the strict enforcement of the timed-out rule, the IPL has never shied away from adapting. However, among all the regulations, none is more critical to player welfare than the concussion substitute rule.

Introduced to safeguard players from the severe risks of head and neck injuries, this rule ensures that teams do not have to compromise on player safety during high-intensity matches. In the IPL 2026 season alone, we have already witnessed multiple instances where this vital protocol was put into action, highlighting its ongoing relevance. Below, we dive deep into how the rule works and present the complete list of concussion substitutes in IPL history.

What is the Concussion Substitute Rule in the IPL?

The concussion substitute rule was designed with a single, primary objective: to protect players who sustain head or neck injuries during a match. Cricket is a fast-paced sport, and with bowlers consistently crossing the 140 km/h mark, the risk of injury is ever-present.

According to the official IPL playing conditions, a franchise is permitted to replace a player who has suffered a confirmed or suspected concussion during a game. For a substitution to occur, the team must obtain formal approval from the match referee after a thorough medical evaluation of the injured player. Crucially, the replacement must be a ‘like-for-like’ substitute. This means a specialist batsman cannot be replaced by a frontline bowler, ensuring that the competitive balance of the game is maintained.

The Complete List of Concussion Substitutes in IPL History

Since its implementation, teams have utilized this rule to protect their players while keeping their match strategies intact. Here is the full, chronological list of every concussion substitute used in the IPL to date.

1. Vishnu Vinod for Ishan Kishan (IPL 2023)

The first-ever instance of a concussion substitute in IPL history occurred during the high-stakes Qualifier 2 of the 2023 season, featuring the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Gujarat Titans (GT). During the first innings, Mumbai Indians opener and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan suffered a concussion following an accidental collision with teammate Chris Jordan while fielding. Jordan’s elbow struck Kishan near his left eye, causing immediate discomfort. Following a medical assessment, Kishan was ruled out of the remainder of the match. Mumbai Indians brought in wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Vinod as a direct, like-for-like replacement for the chase.

2. Yudhvir Singh Charak for Mohsin Khan (IPL 2024)

The second concussion substitution took place during the IPL 2024 season in a league stage encounter between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. LSG pacer Mohsin Khan suffered a scary head injury while attempting a diving catch in the outfield. Fielded at short third man, Mohsin landed awkwardly on his head and was immediately assisted off the field by the medical team. After failing the concussion protocols, Mohsin was ruled out, and Lucknow Super Giants introduced fast bowler Yudhvir Singh Charak as his approved replacement.

3. Ashwani Kumar for Corbin Bosch (IPL 2025)

The IPL 2025 season saw another concussion incident during a match between the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder Corbin Bosch was struck on the helmet by a sharp, rising bouncer from GT pacer Prasidh Krishna during the final over of the first innings. Although Bosch managed to complete his short cameo with the bat, he began showing symptoms of a concussion during the mid-innings medical assessment. Consequently, Mumbai Indians activated the protocol and brought in left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar as a substitute for the second innings.

4. Shardul Thakur for Mitchell Santner (IPL 2026)

The IPL 2026 season witnessed its first concussion substitution during the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Chennai’s Mitchell Santner injured himself while attempting a spectacular diving catch in the deep during the 17th over. While the injury initially seemed to be concentrated around his shoulder, Mumbai Indians later clarified that Santner’s head and neck had also made heavy contact with the ground during the fall. Upon receiving approval from the match referee, CSK brought in experienced Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur as the replacement.

5. Tejasvi Dahiya for Angkrish Raghuvanshi (IPL 2026)

The most recent concussion substitute in the tournament’s history occurred in Match 65 of the IPL 2026 season between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Mumbai Indians. KKR’s young batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi suffered a collision with teammate Varun Chakravarthy while fielding during the Mumbai Indians’ innings. Raghuvanshi was forced to leave the field shortly after the collision and was deemed unfit to continue. To maintain their team balance, KKR introduced Tejasvi Dahiya as the concussion substitute after getting the green light from the referee.

Conclusion

While cricket fans love the IPL for its massive sixes and thrilling finishes, the introduction and active implementation of the concussion substitute rule highlight the sport’s commitment to player safety. By enforcing a strict ‘like-for-like’ replacement policy under referee supervision, the IPL ensures that matches remain fair while never compromising on the health of the athletes on the field.