“My issue is more related to the protocols” – Tom Moody voices “no. 1 concern” as concussion substitute debate heats up
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India clinched the opening T20I against thanks to the heroics of Ravindra Jadeja and his concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal. Jadeja was struck on the helmet by a Mitchell Starc bouncer during his explosive 44 run innings and was deemed to be concussed after being checked during the innings break. Following the diagnosis, Chahal took the field in the second innings as a concussion substitute for Jadeja. And turned the game upside down with his three wickets.
The lean leggie sent the big guns Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade packing as he was adjudged the man of the match. His game-changing performance after being left out of the original XI has led to a huge debate if the substitution was for a hamstring injury Jadeja picked up and the concussion claim was a fluke.
Moody’s number 1 concern
Former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody, keeping the ongoing debate aside, questioned why the proper protocols were not followed after Jadeja was hit on the head. Moody pointed out that the protocols demand an immediate examination of the player following the incident. But Jadeja was not checked by a doctor or physio until the innings break. Moddy stresses that the well being of a player is above the result of the game.
“My issue is more related to the protocols once the player is hit on the head. This is obviously posting the tragedy of Phil Hughes, who lost his life. The protocol is very clear on this,” Moody said on ESPNCricinfo. “Once a batsman gets hit in the head, the medical team comes to the ground – to make sure the player is clear and okay to continue. And two, the helmet is okay – and more often than not, they replace the helmet. The manufacturers of the helmet cannot guarantee that there are no fractures in the helmet itself. None of that took place.”
“That is, for me, the no. 1 concern. This is not Jadeja’s fault. We don’t know this – he may have a delayed concussion. Which is absolutely possible – I have no issues with Chahal replacing him as a concussion substitute.“
India right to replace Jadeja with a specialist spinner
The 55-year-old feels that Chahal replacing Jadeja is a “like for like” substitution. Moody explains that the all-rounder would have bowled four overs anyway and there is no issue if a specialist bowler comes in to do so. The former Aussie all-rounder went on to reiterate that if the protocols would have had been followed, no controversy or debate would have arisen in the first place.
“Yes, they are different kinds of spinners – one’s better than the other – but on the other hand, Jadeja was selected in the side to bowl four overs. So, I have the right to replace him with a specialist spinner. I have no issues with that either. My issue is more around the process that was not taken at the point when Jadeja was hit in the helmet. If that was done, like the way it should have been done, we would not be sitting here and having this discussion,” he further explained.
“We would understand that he possibly had a delayed concussion – and it is a coincidence that he has a hamstring niggle as well. But we need to worry about the player,” he signed off.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
(1496 Articles Published)