“Australia shouldn’t complain, they also got that advantage” – Virender Sehwag recalls 2019 Ashes incident amid concussion substitute row
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Australia suffered a second straight loss against India as concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal bamboozled the hosts. Chahal took the field in the second innings after Ravindra Jadeja showed symptoms of a concussion during the innings break. Jadeja was struck on the helmet by a Mitchell Starc bouncer during his explosive 44 run innings. Chahal’s game-changing performance after being left out of the original XI has led to a huge debate if the substitution was fair or not.
The Aussies were looking in complete control of the game as openers Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short were looking solid. But Chahal’s introduction changed the tide as he first dismissed Finch before scalping big wickets of Steve Smith and Matthew Wade. The leggie finished with figures of 3 for 25 in his four overs as he bagged the man of the match award.
Australia were the first beneficiaries of concussion substitute rule
Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels that India was right in bringing in the substitute. Sehwag shares that symptoms related to head injuries can show up as late as 24 hours after the hit.
“From our side, it was a right decision as Ravindra Jadeja was not fit to play and could not bowl as well,” Sehwag, who is an expert on Sony Six said.
“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.”
The explosive opener points out that Australia was one of the first teams to reap the benefit of the concussion substitute. He recalls that Marnus Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith as concussion substitute and scored important runs during 2019 Ashes series in England. Sehwag explains that symptoms like swelling and dizziness only manifest once the adrenaline wears out.
“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 fell 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.”
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