India won the first T20 against the Australians on Friday and there where many discussing points to discuss about it from the team selection to the failure of India’s middle-order batsmen. However, the most addressed topic was the “concussion substitute”. With India struggling to get 150 at 17th over, Jadeja saved India with a knock of 44 not out from 23 balls. India were under pressure on 114 for 6 in the 17th over before Jadeja’s knock helped them post 161 for 7. Chahal then picked up 3 main wickets dismissing Steven Smith, Aaron Finch and Mathew Wade for just 25 runs to help India restrict the hosts to 150 for 7.
Sunil Gavaskar On Concussion Substitute Advantage By India
Australia coach Justin Langer was seen indulging in a discussion with match referee David Boon after he was informed about the change. To add to the Aussies’ damage, Chahal picked up 3/25 in his four overs to help India to an 11-run win and picked up the man of the match trophy for his performance.
Everyone was discussing whether concussion substitute rule is fair enough for the opposition and Sunil Gavaskar chipped in with his view on it.
“The match referee is an Australian, he is a former Australian cricketer David Boon. He was okay with Chahal substituting Jadeja. They normally say like for like, you can argue that Chahal’s not an all-rounder but anyone who goes out with the bat whether he scores 1 run of 100 runs is an all-rounder as far as I’m concerned. And he bowls so it’s a like for like replacement. And the Australian match referee had no objection so I don’t see why there is so much of noise about it,” Sunil Gavaskar told India Today.
Sunil Gavaskar Not Agreeing With Concussion Substitute Rule
One of the Greatest Indian batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar doesn’t put the mark on the concept as he feels it is a clear advantage given to batters for a technical ability.
“On the business of concussion substitute itself, I don’t agree with it. May be I am old fashioned and I have always believed that if you are not good enough to play the bouncer and get hit on the helmet, then you don’t deserve a substitute. I am sorry,” Gavaskar said.
“But at the moment, it is being allowed as part of the rules of the game and according to the rules of the game, there was no problem with Chahal playing instead of Ravi Jadeja.”
