Australia vs India 3rd T20I: Here's Why Yuzvendra Chahal Replaced Ravindra Jadeja As A Concussion Substitute Even After Not Being A Like For Like Replacement

Team India’s call to replace Yuzvendra Chahal with Ravindra Jadeja as his concussion substitute in the first T20I against Australia has stirred massive controversy. The decision has not gone down well with a lot of cricket fans and experts as many believe that team India has flouted the law with this sort of a replacement.

Ravindra Jadeja was substituted in the second innings of the first T20I after having smoked 44 runs off 23 balls in the first. Yuzvendra Chahal came into bowl in the second innings as Australian coach, Justin Langer and Australian skipper, Aaron Finch was visibly very upset with the replacement.

In this report, we’ll explain as to why Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja even after not being a like for like replacement, as per the Concussion substitute protocol.

Australia vs India 3rd T20I: Here’s Why Yuzvendra Chahal Replaced Ravindra Jadeja As A Concussion Substitute Even After Not Being A Like For Like Replacement

ICC Playing Conditions

• 1.2.8.1 In assessing whether the nominated Concussion Replacement should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC Match Referee should consider the likely role the concussed player would have played during the remainder of the match, and the normal role that would be performed by the nominated Concussion Replacement.
• 1.2.8.2 If the ICC Match Referee believes that the inclusion of the nominated Concussion Replacement, when performing their normal role, would excessively advantage their team, the Match Referee may impose such conditions upon the identity and involvement of the Concussion Replacement as he/she sees fit, in line with the overriding objective of facilitating a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player.

As per the laws, the Concussion substitute must always be a like for like replacement. In the third T20I against Australia, Chahal was brought in for Jadeja as there were no all-rounders in the Indian bench who could replace Ravindra Jadeja. Chahal, being the 12th man of team India, became the first-choice concussion substitute for Jadeja. A lot of former players and fans have criticized this as they believe that team India have managed to find a loophole in the law.

Team India Start The T20 Series With A Win

The India National Cricket Team is quite on road to win the first T20I of the three-match series as they are in a commanding position in the game. Until this report was published, the Australians had lost 7 wickets for 139 runs.

Team India, on the other hand, batted first after losing the toss and managed to score 161 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. KL Rahul, the Indian vice-captain smashed a scintillating half-century and Jadeja played a vital knock towards the end.