Ind vs Aus 1st T20 – Jadeja’s injury controversy: Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was pulled out from the 1st T20 due to a concussion during the match on Friday. He was replaced by Yuzvendra Chahal. However, the decision to replace Jadeja due to a concussion stirred a lot of controversy. The 31-year-old, prior to suffering the blow on his head, visibly suffered a hamstring injury while batting.
Notably, Jadeja picked a hamstring injury during his quickfire knock of 44 not out and looked in discomfort as he was attended by the medical team. However, he was hit on the helmet in the final over of the innings when he missed a Mitchell Starc bouncer. Jadeja was limping in the final over and was in doubt to bowl.
However, BCCI announced that Jadeja suffered a concussion and went for Chahal as his replacement. The spinner will be eligible to bowl his full four overs while Jadeja continues to be assessed.
“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.
Ind vs Aus: What is the ICC rules on concussion?
It should be noted, as per rules, a team can ask for a like-to-like player as a concussion substitute in case a player suffers one.
“The ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match.
Furthermore, as per International Cricket Council (ICC) protocols for concussion, the Indian physio should have walked out to check on Jadeja after he was hit on the helmet. However, nothing of sorts happened, which eventually raised many eyebrows.
“In assessing whether the nominated Concussion Replacement should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC Match Referee should consider the likely role the concussed player would have played during the remainder of the match, and the normal role that would be performed by the nominated Concussion Replacement.”
Australia head coach Justin Langer was not happy with the match referee David Boon’s decision. He was seen contesting the decision.
Cricket greats like Michael Vaughan, Tom Moody question rules after Jadeja’s injury controversy
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
On the other hand, Moody wrote:
“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?”
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
One should note that it might also be possible that Jadeja suffered a delayed concussion once he walked back into the dressing room post the end of India’s innings. In 2019, Bangladesh’s Liton Das suffered a blow to head during the day-night Test against India in Kolkata. There, the physio came out and the protocol was implemented but the symptoms appeared an over later.