Yuzvendra Chahal, not part of the initial playing XI of Team India against Australia in the first T20I at Manuka Oval in Canberra, suddenly came on to bowl and the audiences got confused. He was however creating history at the time, becoming the first Indian concussion substitute after the enactment of the new ICC rules.
Chahal, 30, replaced Ravindra Jadeja, who was hit on the helmet and thus chose to get a substitute for himself as the rule says that if a player is hit dangerously on the helmet, he or she can get a concussion substitute in the game.
Jadeja was hit on the head by a Mitchell Starc bouncer in the final over and although he batted throughout the over, in the innings break, the Indian team decided to enforce the rule and get Chahal as the replacement.
Twitter reacted to this development in all sorts of confusion, mainly because Jadeja played after getting hit by the ball, and had an injury (muscle pull) prior to being hit on the helmet. Things got even tighter as Chahal, the substitute, got two wickets in two overs.
The decision to allow Chahal as a substitute was challenged ferociously by Aussie coach Justin Langer via a protest to the match referee David Boon. However, the challenge was not accepted. Even in the commentary box, the concussion substitute has been the main issue of discussion.
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