The inclusion of a concussion substitute and the way it has been included has had Twitter and the users on social media perplexed and divided during the first T20I between India and Australia.
Ravindra Jadeja, who was originally part of the playing XI got hit on his helmet in the final over of the India's batting innings. Jadeja's quickfire unbeaten knock of 44* (23) was crucial to India breaching the 160-mark, but he was struggling to run well in the latter half of his innings.
Jadeja was suffering from a hamstring strain and was looking in discomfort while his was willowing his leather for fours and sixes. However, when the 2nd innings started, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was seen on the field.
During the broadcast and after BCCI's confirmation, it was told that Jadeja was being assessed by team's medical team after getting hit on the helmet.
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
The news however sparked a number of varied reactions from the users on Twitter and from the experts of the game. While the rules of a concussion substitute says a like-for-like replacement is allowed, the inclusion of Yuvendra Chahal, a pure bowler, in place of an all-rounder, albeit both being spin bowlers, puzzled everyone, given Jadeja was finished with one aspect of his game.
The decision also received displeasure from Australian coach Justin Langer, who was visibly pissed at the decision and was seen involved in an animated discussion with the match refree David Boon.
“Look Justin I’m just not sure it’s even the best version of A Star is Born, let alone the greatest film of all time.” pic.twitter.com/2zNuf8XHBa
— Charlie Reynolds (@cwjreynolds) December 4, 2020
Some users, noticibly former Australian cricketer Tom Moody pointed out if that hit was even serious enough, since there was no doctor or physio seen attending Jadeja when he was hit. Moody questioned if it was that serious, there should have been a medical team attending him.
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
And, since Chahal took wickets in the Australian innings, the users got an excuse to poke fun at Langer.
Here are some of the reactions:
4D chess by Shastri to use concussion to replace Jadeja for a hamstring injury. #AUSvIND
— Manya (@CSKian716) December 4, 2020
Chahal comes in for Jadeja. This concussion sub rule will generate a LOT of discussion over the next few days #AUSvIND
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) December 4, 2020
So India could bat with Jaddu and can now bowl with Chahal? That's insane. The concussion substitute rule states only like-for-like replacements. Is that why Langer was miffed before the innings? Rightly so then. #AUSvsIND
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 4, 2020
Yuzvendra Jadeja putting in a man of the match performance. #AUSvIND
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) December 4, 2020
We did nothing illegal with that concussion rule, we just exploited a loophole in the system.
Just like Harshad Mehta did in Scam of 1992.#AUSvIND
— Andy. (@WeBleedBlue007) December 4, 2020
Chahal after taking wicket#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/MXQAlvF2c9
— SARCASTER (@sarcaster_) December 4, 2020
Concussion substitute Yuzi Chahal took two crucial wicket.
— SOBUJ (@PanditSobuj18_) December 4, 2020
Langer to charge into the ground like MSD if Chahal keeps on taking wickets. #AUSvIND
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 4, 2020