Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja as a concussion substitute in the 2nd innings of Australia vs India 1st T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Chahal will be allowed to bowl 4 overs as Virat Kohli led India lost Jadeja to more than one injury concern on Friday.
Ravindra Jadeja replaced by Chahal
In a statement released by the BCCI, it said, “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.”
UPDATE: 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. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/tdzZrHpA1H
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2020
Justin Langer remains unhappy
However, Australia head coach Justin Langer was unhappy with Yuzvendra Chahal taking Jadeja in the field as a concussion substitute. Langer was seen arguing with the match referee and his former teammate David Boon.
On-field commentators Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that Langer was seemingly unhappy before the start of Australia’s chase. However, the duo pointed out that India were well within their rights to ask the match referee for Jadeja’s concussion substitute.
The physio did not walk out to the middle to check on Jadeja after he was hit on the helmet nor his helmet was changed, according to the International Cricket Council protocols for concussion. However, as seen in many concussion cases, Jadeja was sent for assessment after he got back to the dressing room.
Jadeja’s crucial knock
Jadeja braved the hamstring injury to play a crucial knock that took India to 161 in 20 overs. Jadeja hit 44 not out from just 23 balls as he smashed 5 boundaries and a six to provide the much-needed impetus in the end overs after the likes of Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Manish Pandey failed with the bat.
KL Rahul hit a well-paced 51 but the India opener failed to convert the start into a big knock.