AUS vs IND: Ravindra Jadeja’s concussion substitution leads to varying opinions

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played a fine unbeaten knock of 44 runs off 23 balls in the first T20I against Australia in Canberra. He came out to bat with the team in trouble and propelled India to a challenging total of 161 runs for the loss of seven wickets after 20 overs. While the momentum was with the visitors going into the break, the real drama began off the field in the innings break.

Justin Langer was seen arguing with match referee David Boon even as not many were aware of it. And things were made clear once Australia’s innings started as Yuzvendra Chahal was named the concussion replacement for Ravindra Jadeja. As it happened, during the final over of India’s innings Mitchell Starc bowled a bouncer which took Jadeja’s bat’s edge and hit him on the helmet.

However, he continued to bat and completed the innings. During his blitzkrieg, the southpaw also suffered from hamstring issues and was unable to run fast. And this is where the fans and experts started to connect the dots about Langer arguing with the match referee. It was about Ravindra Jadeja not being attended by the medical staff after being hit on the head and the undue advantage India were getting with Chahal bowling four overs.

Former cricketers have started to give their opinion on the matter now and Michael Vaughan and Tom Moody have joined the list. The former England skipper clearly wasn’t happy with what transpired out in the middle and highlighted that Jadeja was struggling with his hamstring.

Here is what they tweeted:

No Doctor or Physio came out to Test Jadeja for concussion … he then looks like his has done something to his leg … then they pull the concussion replacement .. !!!!! #RatSniffed #OnOn #AUSvIND

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 4, 2020

I have no issue with Jadeja being substitute with Chahal. But I do have an issue with a Doctor & Physio not being present after Jadeja was struck on the helmet which I believe is protocol now? #AusvInd

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 4, 2020

1.12 PM – Not named in the starting XI ?
3.50 PM – Named as Jadeja’s concussion substitute ?
5.08 PM – Finishes with 3/25 ?

What an extra ordinary day for Chahal ?#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AUSvIND

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 4, 2020