The Indian leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal was waiting in the dug-out when Team India took the field against Australia for the first T20I at the Manuka Oval, Canberra. He was earlier excluded from the playing XI as Virat Kohli preferred Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. But by the time the game ended, Chahal was named as the Man of the Match as the Indian team defeated Australia by runs to take the lead in the three-match series.
Yuzvendra Chahal came out to bowl after he replaced Ravindra Jadeja in the playing eleven as a concussion substitute. Jadeja suffered a blow on his helmet off an inside edge by fast bowler Mitchell Starc in the final over of India’s innings. At that time, he did not receive any medical attention after suffering the blow on his head as it looked everything was fine. But he was replaced by Chahal before the commencement of Australia’s innings.
ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar Feels Sorry For Chahal After Snub In Canberra T20
Since the rules call for like for like a replacement, India decided to replace Jadeja with Yuzvendra Chahal. And the leg-spinner made the most of the opportunity. He picked up 3 crucial scalps for 25 runs to play a vital role in India’s win.
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What a performance by Yuzvendra Chahal! He has dismissed Matthew Wade off his final delivery to leave Australia's chase in trouble.#AUSvIND SCORECARD 👉 https://t.co/FpDYCXHojX pic.twitter.com/K0eWNKMMzg
— ICC (@ICC) December 4, 2020
The leg-spinner gave Team India a much-needed scalped much-needed wicket of Aaron Finch to end the 56-run stand between the Australia skipper and D’Arcy Short for the first wicket. He then dismissed Steve Smith cheaply before getting a prized wicket of Matthew Wade on the final ball of his spell.
When India decided to replace Jadeja with Yuzvendra Chahal, Australia was not at all impressed with it. Their head coach Justin Langer, Finch, and ICC Match Referee David Boon were seen having a heated conversation over the same. And one can say that Chahal’s performance must have rubbed more salt to Australia’s wounds.
WATCH – Justin Langer Left Fuming After Chahal Came As Substitute Of Jadeja
However, Indian fansThe Indian fans, however, were extremely happy with Chahal’s performance and took to Twitter to laud him. Some even took digs at Langer and Finch for objecting the substitute earlier in the match.
so chahal started the day being dropped from the XI and is ending it as a man of the match contender…cricket IS a funny game! #AUSvsIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/__Muskurahat__/status/1334819200343265282?s=20
I like that this Chahal-Jadeja incident has added a bit of spice to the series. All the niceness & laughing & joking & go-well-youngster & we’re-all-mates & I-love-you-cause-IPL-rocks was getting a bit annoying. It’s an India tour of Australia after all! #AUSvIND
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) December 4, 2020
Two hours ago, Yuzvendra Chahal wasn’t part of the match. And he’s now man of the match. Super concussion Sub #ausvind @cricbuzz
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 4, 2020
#INDvsAUS
Chahal take 3 wicket as concussion substitute playerAustralian batsman to Justin Langer :- pic.twitter.com/vwv6w5zfz7
— Niwi🥝 (@niwesh13) December 4, 2020
– Not part of the Eleven.
– Came as Concussion Substitute.
– Picked the wickets of Finch, Smith, Wade.
– Given just 25 runs from 4 overs.What a spell, Yuzi Chahal – Great Turn around from the ODI series.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 4, 2020
🇮🇳IND 1-0 up in the series, Well done Sir Jadeja , first scoring those crucial runs n then getting Chatur Chahal on the park 🤐!! Natrajan was special too !! #indvsausT20
— Mithun V Manhas (@MithunManhas) December 4, 2020
If you need a picture to get Justin Langer angry, send this to him 😁#AUSvIND.
Sir Jadeja and Lord Chahal. pic.twitter.com/NOAFcLwXIQ
— 🛡️ (@_rockalcoholic) December 4, 2020
Jadeja, Concussion, Chahal and Natarajan beat Australia in first T20I.#AUSvIND
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 4, 2020
Jadeja-Chahal deserve a Man-Of-The-Match award for a beautiful joint all-round performance as substitute and substitutee. #AUSvIND
— Aniruddha Guha (@AniGuha) December 4, 2020
Chahal winning player of the match is definitely the cherry on top of this match. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 4, 2020
#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/K9z3T9nBp9
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 4, 2020
