In a significant event during Match 56 of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) held on May 6, Ashwani Kumar made his mark by becoming only the third concussion substitute in IPL history. He stepped in for South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who sustained a head injury after being struck by a bouncer from Prasidh Krishna while batting.
Bosch had managed to score 27 runs off 22 balls before the incident, hitting two consecutive sixes in Krishna’s final over before unfortunately getting hit on the helmet. Although he initially continued his innings after a check-up with the physiotherapist, he was later run-out on the next delivery. His contributions helped the Mumbai Indians reach a total of 155/8 in their 20 overs.
Ashwani Kumar’s IPL journey has been noteworthy as he made his debut earlier in the season against the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he impressed with figures of 4 wickets for 24 runs. However, in subsequent matches, he struggled with his bowling performance, which led to him being left out of the playing XI.
The other players who have previously been used as concussion substitutes in the IPL include Vishnu Vinod, who replaced Ishan Kishan (MI) in 2023, and Yudhvir Singh for the Lucknow Super Giants in 2024. The use of concussion substitutes highlights the league’s commitment to player safety, following international protocols for head injuries in sports.
This event not only underscores the importance of player health and safety in cricket but also adds to Ashwani Kumar’s budding career as he takes advantage of the opportunity to contribute to his team in a crucial match.