Amid Covid-19 and bio-bubbles, concussion became a talking point in cricket recently. The Indian team’s decision to replace Ravindra Jadeja with Yuzvendra Chahal in the first T20I against Australia sparked the debate. Jadeja had carried on batting for four balls after being struck on the helmet in the last over of the innings.
He was troubled by a hamstring problem too, which suggested it would be difficult for him to bowl. However, medical opinion of him suffering a mild concussion due to the impact of that hit meant the ‘concussion substitute’ rule came into play.
Chahal played a match-winning role with the ball. Jadeja was subsequently ruled out of the T20 series following medical advice that he be under observation. Opinion is divided, with one side convinced that the impact of that knock was not as severe as it was made out to be and that Jadeja was replaced because India would have been a bowler short due to his hamstring problem.
