Gavaskar questions controversy over concussion substitute

India’s ploy of using a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal during the 1st T20I against Australia has led to mixed reactions. While some of the experts believe that India exploited the loophole in the rule, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the controversy over the move.

Gavaskar thinks that the decision was approved by the match referee and hence there should not be any debate over it.

Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar said: “The match referee is an Australian, he is a former Australian cricketer David Boon. He was okay with Chahal substituting Jadeja.

“They normally say like for like, you can argue that Chahal’s not an all-rounder but anyone who goes out with the bat whether he scores 1 run of 100 runs is an all-rounder as far as I’m concerned. And he bowls so it’s a like for like replacement. And the Australian match referee had no objection so I don’t see why there is so much of noise about it,” he added.

Jadeja was struck on the helmet by a bouncer from Mitchell Starc but continued to play without any discomfort. However, during the break he felt dizzy and informed the physio, and India used the rule to field Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal produced a match-winning spell bagging three wickets in four overs.

Before the start of Australian innings, coach Justin Langer was seen indulging in a discussion with match referee David Boon after he was informed about the change.

However, talking about the issue of concussion substitutes, Gavaskar had a different take. “On the business of concussion substitute itself, I don’t agree because maybe I’m old-fashioned, I’ve always believed that if you’re not good enough to play the bouncer and you get hit on the helmet then you don’t deserve substitutes.

“But at the moment it is being allowed and according to the rules of the game, everything was done according to it and there was no problem with Chahal playing instead of Ravindra Jadeja,” Gavaskar further said.

India have a 1-0 lead in the T20I series and both teams will face each other in the 2nd game in Sydney on Sunday.