Australia head coach Justin Langer was visibly unhappy after India brought in Yuzvendra Chahal as ‘concussion substitute’ for Ravindra Jadeja in 1st T20I in Canberra on Friday.
Jadeja, who had picked a hamstring injury during his knock of 44 from 23 balls, was limping in the last over and was also hit flush on the helmet when he missed a bouncer from Mitchell Starc in the final over of India’s innings.
India, it seems, pointed out that the knock on the head forced them to bring in a concussion substitute. He remained unbeaten at 44 off 23 balls, which helped India post 161/7 that ultimately proved enough for a win by 11 runs.
“Ravindra Jadeja was hit on the helmet in the final over of the first innings of the first T20I. Yuzvendra Chahal will take the field in the 2nd innings as a concussion substitute. Jadeja is currently being assessed by the BCCI Medical Team,” the BCCI said in a statement.
However, this did not go down well with the Australian camp and Langer was having an animated discussion with match referee David Boon.
Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar, the on-air commentators, pointed out that while Langer was justified for his unhappiness, India was within its rights to ask the match referee for Jadeja’s concussion substitute.
Former Australian opener Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket. “Should he have had a concussion test there and then?”
“He would not have been able to bat.”
“You would think the Australian management would be saying wouldn’t there be protocols that need to be met to make that judgement,” added Gilchrist. “Because he scored the lion’s share of his runs after that.”
“You can’t have it both ways,” Waugh said. “You can’t have a substitute who can then bowl for you and then bat on.”
In July last year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had allowed like for like concussion substitutes in case a player got hit on the head. ICC regulations also permit the concussion test to be conducted at the end of the over, which in this case coincided with the innings break.
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