Virender Sehwag has reminded Australia of the advantage they got from the concussion substitute rule and deems they should not fuss about it. Yesterday, after Ravindra Jadeja coped a blow on the head while batting he had a complaint about feeling dizzy. The physios conducted a mandatory concussion test after which it was decided that Jadeja will not take any further part in the match.
When Yuzvendra Chahal was announced as his replacement, Australian coach Justin Langer was not at all in favour of the decision. This proved to be a game-changing decision of Chahal ended up being the player of the match for his outstanding spell over 4 overs in which he picked 3 massive wickets.
Team India took the right advantage of the concussion substitute rule- Virender Sehwag
The like for like replacement for Jadeja in the form of Chahal wasn’t appreciated by the Aussies as it proved to be an outstanding addition for team India. Now former India cricketer Sehwag thinks that team India took the fair advantage of the concussion substitute rule. The right decision was made when Jadeja had concussion symptoms and Chahal featured as his replacement.
Also, for the Australians who are complaining about the rule, Sehwag recalled the incident when Marnus Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith at Lord’s when he was hit by a bouncer during the last year’s Ashes. Eventually, Labuschagne ended up scoring runs as Australia profited from the rule and was able to draw the Test match.
“From our side, it was the right decision as Ravindra Jadeja was not fit to play and could not bowl as well. It was an opportunity which the Indian team got because he was hit on the head and when you are hit on the head, nobody can say that concussion will happen at that time. It takes time. You might get symptoms within 24 hours. So Indian team took the right advantage of the rule”, Sehwag said as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar Slams Justin Langer Over Questioning Yuzvendra Chahal as Concussion Substitute
“When Steve Smith was hit on the head, Labuschagne came out to bat in place of him and made runs. So, Australia also got that advantage. So I think Australia shouldn’t complain. They might have just one contention that Jadeja continued to bat and made runs but when you open your helmet inside the dressing room then you might witness some swelling, you might feel dizziness. There is a possibility. I was hit on the helmet many times so I know how it feels but during our times there were no such rules”, Virender Sehwag added.
Meanwhile, after winning the first T20I captain Virat Kohli too admitted that the strange substitute rule could have easily gone wrong for his side. Team India was lucky on the day as Chahal produced a magical spell which gave India a1-0 lead in the series. After the match, it was announced that Jadeja will not take any further part in the T20I series and he will be replaced by Shardul Thakur in the side.
