Justin Langer fumes as Yuzvendra Chahal takes the field as concussion sub for Ravindra Jadeja in 1st T20I

Indian cricket team is up against Australia in the first T20 International of the three-match series at Manuka Oval in Canberra. Batting first, the visitors managed to post a total of 161 on the board in their 20 overs. However, there is a rumour of a tiff between the two cricketing nations as India named leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja.

While batting in the second last over, Jadeja was hit on the helmet. However, the left-hander wasn’t provided with any medical attention and he went on to play the rest two overs to post a decent total for India. Meanwhile, Jadeja also suffered hamstring issues while batting in the death and was seen limping on the ground.

Thus, when the match referee informed the host team about Chahal taking the field as a replacement for Jadeja, Australian coach Justin Langer lost his cool and looked extremely upset in a video uploaded on social media.

Langer’s frustration is justified as according to the rules, Chahal can now bowl the 4 overs despite not being named in the playing XI. This can make a huge difference in the match as the leg-spinner is one of the most prolific T20I bowlers.

Watch the video

BCCI informs about concussion substitute

As per the rules laid out by the International Cricket Council (ICC), a cricket team can opt for a like-to-like player as a concussion substitute in case a player suffers one. Thus, India went for Chahal as the replacement for Jadeja and the spinner will be eligible to bowl his full four overs while Jadeja continues to be assessed by the medical team.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also informed about this concussion replacement via their official Twitter handle, “Ravindra Jadeja was hit on the helmet in the final over of the first innings of the first T20I. Yuzvendra Chahal will take the field in the 2nd innings as a concussion substitute. Jadeja is currently being assessed by the BCCI Medical Team,” BCCI tweeted.

Notably, Jadeja had slammed 44 runs off 23 deliveries at a strike rate of 191.3. His knock included 5 boundaries and 1 maximum.