Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

The fourth T20I between India and England attracted several eyeballs due to the concussion substitute controversy which saw Harshit Rana replace Shivam Dube after the latter got hit on the helmet during the penultimate overs of the India innings. Although the match ended in hosts favour, this concussion substitute did not rest well among several former cricketers, including the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Ravichandran Ashwin, and others.

Although the T20I series might be over with the hosts securing 4-1 win, the controversy from the fourth T20I in Pune has now got the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referees also talking. While it continued to be a part of discussion in the fifth T20I in Mumbai, England skipper Jos Buttler was also seen taking a sly dig at toss as he opted to name four impact subs.

ICC Match Referee Chris Broad drops explosive remarks on concussion substitute controversy

Moreover, ICC Match Referee Chris Broad was also seen making some explosive remarks on the ongoing controversy, calling out ICC of returning to ‘bad old days’. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Broad wrote, "Independent match officials were brought in to stop situations like this! Why are the ICC returning to the 'bad old days' of bias and corruption?" His comments came on former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen’s remarks, who had said that Harshit Rana wasn’t a like-for-like replacement for Shivam Dube.

Reacting to a comment from Kevin Pietersen, Broad said, "Absolutely agree. How can an Indian Match Referee get away with allowing this Indian replacement? Match officials should be independent to omit bias! (sic)."

Notably, Broad is one of the most reputed ICC officials in the game of cricket. He has officiated 622 games on the international circuit and stand third in the list of officials with most matches, sitting only behind Ranjan Madugalle (798) and Jeff Crowe (656).