Former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag reckons that Team India took the right decision of opting to go for a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja as symptoms related to head injuries often show up to 24 hours after the hit. Jadeja was hit on the head but didn’t seek immediate medical attention but when Australia batted, Yuzvendra Chahal came out to the field as he was a concussion substitute and took 3 for 25 to played a crucial role in India’s 11 runs victory against Australia in the first T20 international.
During a chat on Sony Six, Sehwag said, “From our side, it was the 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 the Indian team took the right advantage of the rule.”
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Sehwag reckons that Australians shouldn’t be complaining as they were the first to use the concussion substitute rule last year in England.
Virender Sehwag said, “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.”
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He added, “I was hit on the helmet many times so I know how it feels but during our times there were no such rules.”