England has been left fuming after quick Harshit Rana took a match-winning 3-33 on his T20I debut as India won by 15 runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five match series.
Rana was unexpectedly given his debut as a concussion substitute during the innings break.
Shivam Dube made 53 from just 34 balls, but was struck flush on the helmet by a Jamie Overton short ball from the second-last ball of India's innings.
When India came out to field, Dube, a batting all-rounder who bowls part-time medium pace, was replaced by Rana, an out-and-out fast bowler.
ICC rules dictate concussion substitutes must be "like-for-like".
Harshit Rana celebrates taking the wicket of Jamie Overton. Getty
In his four overs, Rana would take the wickets of Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell and Jamie Overton. He also bowled 11 dot balls – the equal most of any of the Indian bowlers. He also took a crucial catch to remove England skipper Jos Buttler.
Speaking to media after the match, Buttler said he hadn't even been told Rana was a concussion substitute until he came out to bat.
"Either Shivam Dube has put on about (40km/h) with the ball or Harshit has really improved his batting," he said.
"It's part of the game and we really should have gone on to win the match, but we disagree with the decision.
"There was no consultation (with us). That's something I was thinking as I came out to bat – who is Harshit on for?
"They said he is a concussion replacement, which I obviously disagreed with. It is not a like-for-like replacement.
"They said that the match referee had made the decision. We had no say in it or any part of it. But we'll ask Javagal (Srinath) some questions just to get some clarity around it.
England captain Jos Buttler after losing the match. Getty
"Like I said, it was not the whole reason why we did not win the match. We had our chances to win the game which we could have still taken. But I'd like to have a bit more clarity on that."
Indian assistant coach Morne Morkel said Dube had "mild headache symptoms" when he came off the field, but claimed it was match referee Javagal Srinath who made the final decision on who the substitute would be.
"We took a name forward to the match referee in terms of a suitable substitution, and from there it is up to the match referee to make the decision," he said.
"When the decision was made, Harshit was having dinner. So we had to get him ready as quickly as possible to go on the field and bowl.
"It goes to the powers above me – match referee makes the decision. We can only take the name forward and from there it is out of our hands."
Batting first, India slumped to 3-12 in the second over and then 5-79 in the 11th before an 87-run partnership off 45 balls between Dube and Hardik Pandya rescued the hosts to set England 182 to level the series.
The tourists made a swift start through openers Phil Salt (23) and Ben Duckett (39). They shared 62 off 36 balls.
Duckett hit seven boundaries and a six off 19 balls and fell against the run of play to wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi at the end of the powerplay.
Five balls later, Axar Patel bowled Salt and Bishnoi got the prize wicket of Jos Buttler.
England lost three wickets in nine deliveries to slip to 3-67.
Harry Brook, overcoming a poor run in the series, gave England hope with 51 off 26 balls. Brook smacked five fours and two sixes but he fell immediately after his half-century – out for a third time against Varun Chakravarthy in the series.
Phil Salt was bowled out by Axar Patel. Getty
The mystery spinner also got Carse for a two-ball duck.
The game turned when Rana was brought on as Dube's concussion substitute. Rana didn't waste his opportunity — he had dismissed Liam Livingstone and Bethell and returned to bowl Overton to kill off England hopes.
Rana declared his performance "a dream debut for me".
"When Dube came back, after two overs I was informed I will be the concussion substitute," he said.
"I have been preparing for a while, not just for this series. I have been waiting for this moment to prove myself.
"When I got the chance, I did not think of the circumstances and just thought about delivering. I have experience of bowling at the death and relied on that."
The final match of the series is on Sunday night in Mumbai.
– With AP
