'He was feeling a little dizzy' - Sanju Samson gives clarification on Ravindra Jadeja controversy

After losing the One-Day series by 1-2, India started the T20I series on a winning note. The two cricketing superpowers were involved in the first T20 International of the three-match at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Friday where the visitors registered a comprehensive victory over the hosts by 11 runs. However, the game managed to stir a controversy when India named leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja.

Batting first, India managed 161 on the board in 20 overs as Jadeja smashed a stunning 44 runs off 23 deliveries despite having hamstring issues and being hit on the helmet in the last over. As Jadeja announced himself retired-hurt, according to ICC rules, India named Chahal as the replacement who was eligible to bowl the 4 overs in the game.

However, this didn’t go well with the Australian team, especially the coach Justin Langer. The hosts countered this decision by the match referee saying that despite being hit on the helmet, Jadeja played the rest of the balls in the over and was looking absolutely fine. Speaking about this episode in a video-conference, Indian batsman Sanju Samson clarified that India didn’t take any advantage of the rules as Jadeja was really feeling dizzy in the dressing room.

“He (Ravindra Jadeja) got hit on the helmet in the last over (off Mitchell Starc) and when he came back to the dressing room, he was asked by the physio (Nitin Patel) how he felt. He (Jadeja) said that he was feeling a little dizzy. He is under observation as per the team doctor’s (Dr. Abhijit Salvi) advice,” Sanju Samson said in the post-match press conference.

Sanju Samson showers praise on Yuzvendra Chahal for his brilliant spell

Chahal proved to be a trump card for India as in his 4 overs, he took 3 wickets including two prized wickets of Steve Smith and Aaron Finch while giving just 25 runs. Showering praises on the left-arm spinner, Sanju stated that today’s game showed the character of Chahal as a top T20I bowler.

“That is the standard that has been set by this team. The quality of players is so high that anytime you ask, they are ready. Chahal grabbed his chance and it was a great lesson for everyone that they need to be ready all the time,” Sanju Samson asserted.

The wicketkeeper-batsman had a bad day at the office as despite getting a decent start he failed to convert it into a big score and went back to the pavilion after scoring 23 runs. On being asked if he feels the pressure of scoring runs, Samson reckoned that now he has reached the stage where he plays every game with a positive mindset.

“A few years back I would have said yes (pressure factor) to that question. But now I have played a few matches for India and have been around good people, who have helped keep a positive mindset. The idea is to keep it simple and focus is to win every game for India,” Sanju Samson concluded.