Mumbai Indians Use Concussion Substitute in IPL Match

CHENNAI, India — In a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match, the Mumbai Indians utilized a concussion substitute to replace Corbin Bosch with Ashwani Kumar. This notable event occurred during a game against the Gujarat Titans on May 6, 2025.

South African all-rounder Bosch was struck on the helmet while batting in the 20th over, bowled by Titans fast bowler Prasidh Krishna. Bosch managed to score 27 runs off 22 balls, including two significant sixes in the final over. His efforts helped Mumbai Indians reach a total of 155 runs, setting a challenging target for their opponents.

Ashwani Kumar, a left-arm pacer, made his impact felt quickly after being introduced in the 10th over of the second innings. He took the crucial wicket of well-set batsman Jos Buttler, dismissing him for 30 runs off 27 balls. With this, Ashwani became the first concussion substitute in the IPL 2025 season.

This substitution highlights the league’s commitment to player safety following recent incidences of head injuries. Earlier in this IPL season, Ashwani made his debut against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he bowled impressively with figures of 4 for 24. However, he struggled in subsequent matches and faced a stint away from the playing XI.

In IPL history, Ashwani is now the third player to be used as a concussion substitute. The other two are Vishnu Vinod, who replaced Ishan Kishan in IPL 2023, and Yudhvir Singh, who substituted for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing discussions regarding player health and safety in professional sports.