4 Players who made their Test debut as concussion substitutes

Making a Test debut for the country remains one of the defining moments of a player’s career. It is a momentous occasion, often celebrated with family members who gather to witness the milestone.

However, Test debuts do not always follow the conventional script. Sometimes they arrive unexpectedly, in the middle of a match, leaving even the player stunned. Such instances are rare, as are concussion substitutes, and even rarer are players who make their Test debuts as concussion subs. Here’s a look at those who have done so:

#1 Brian Mudzinganyama

Zimbabwe’s Brian Mudzinganyama received an unexpected debut during the first Test of Sri Lanka’s two‑match series in January 2020. Kevin Kasuza, Zimbabwe’s debutant opener, was struck on the helmet while fielding at short leg and suffered a delayed concussion on day three. Zimbabwe named Mudzinganyama as the like‑for‑like concussion substitute under ICC regulations. He scored 16 in the second innings, but Sri Lanka wrapped up the match by 10 wickets.

#2 Matt Parkinson

Jack Leach sustained a concussion after landing awkwardly near the boundary during the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s in June 2022. The incident occurred in the sixth over, prompting England to send an urgent call to leg‑spinner Matt Parkinson, who rushed from Manchester to join the squad. Parkinson took 1/47 on debut, dismissing Tim Southee for his maiden Test wicket.

#3 Bahir Shah

Bahir Shah was taken by surprise when Afghanistan handed him a debut in the second innings of the one‑off Test against Bangladesh in June 2023. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi suffered a concussion after being struck on the helmet by a bouncer while on 13, with Afghanistan chasing 662. Bahir Shah came in as the concussion substitute and scored 7, but Afghanistan were bowled out for 115, losing by 546 runs.

#4 Pasindu Sooriyabandara

Pasindu Sooriyabandara earned a sudden debut in the first Test of the two‑match series in Galle after Dinesh Chandimal injured his neck while diving at the deep square‑leg boundary on day four.

Sooriyabandara replaced Chandimal as the concussion substitute and batted in the second innings as Sri Lanka chased 372. His debut, however, was one to forget; Manav Suthar trapped him lbw on the first ball, leaving him with a golden duck.