Virender Sehwag Reminds Australia Benefitting From The Concussion Substitute Rule; Says They Should Not Complain About Yuzvendra Chahal-Ravindra Jadeja Situation

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag is unhappy with Australia complaining about the concussion substitute rule that benefitted India during the first T20 international in Canberra on Friday. India took the lead in the three-match T20 series with an 11-run win over Australia; however, it might likely not have come without the contribution of Yuzvendra Chahal, who came in for Ravindra Jadeja after copping a blow to the head while batting. Virender Sehwag feels that Australia should be the last team to complain considering they were the first beneficiaries from the rule.

With Ravindra Jadeja copping a blow on the helmet from a Mitchell Starc bouncer, the southpaw revealed feeling dizzy after heading to the dressing room. As a result, India opted for Yuzvendra Chahal, which Australia’s coach Justin Langer fought against since leggie was not a precise like for like replacement for Jadeja. Moreover, Chahal ended up having a massive impact on the game, bagging figures of 4-0-25-3 to deliver a victory.

Virender Sehwag underlined that India made the right decision as Ravindra Jadeja was not fit to play or could not bowl either. Sehwag viewed it as an opportunity the Indian team had since when hit on the head, nobody could say when the concussion will take place since the symptoms could take 24 hours to show. According to him, the men in blue got the right advantage of the rule.

“From our side, it was a right decision as Ravindra Jadeja was not fit to play and could not bowl as well. It was an opportunity which the Indian team got because he was hit on the head and when you are hit on the head, nobody can say that concussion will happen at that time. It takes time. You might get symptoms within 24 hours. So Indian team took the right advantage of the rule,” Sehwag said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

I think Australia shouldn’t complain: Virender Sehwag

The 41-year old pointed out the second Ashes Test of 2019 when Steve Smith copped a blow on the head and Marnus Labuschagne came out to bat, making runs; hence, having got the benefit of it earlier, Australia must refrain from complaining. Virender Sehwag observed that the hosts might have a grievance with Jadeja making runs despite being struck; however, the swelling might have appeared only after checking in the dressing room.

“When Steve Smith was hit on the head, Labuschagne came out to bat in place of him and made runs. So, Australia also got that advantage. So I think Australia shouldn’t complain. They might have just one contention that Jadeja continued to bat and made runs but when you open your helmet inside the dressing room then you might witness some swelling, you might fell dizziness. There is a possibility. I was hit on the helmet many times so I know how it feels but during our times there were no such rules,” he added.

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