Yuzvendra Chahal was named a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja at the end of India's innings in their first T20I against Australia in Canberra on Friday. Jadeja scored an unbeaten 44 off 23 to give India something to bowl at, but didn't take the field after the innings. He batted with a hamstring strain, which was apparent, but he was also hit on the helmet in the last over, following which India availed of the substitute.

Jadeja top-edged Mitchell Starc on to his helmet on the second ball of the 20th over. The blow was hard enough to ricochet off the helmet to backward point, where the catch was dropped. Jadeja wasn't given a concussion test on the spot.

The ICC officials obviously approved the substitution, which meant they were satisfied based on the advice of India's team doctor that Jadeja was concussed, and that Chahal was a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja. Australia coach Justin Langer, though, was seen remonstrating with match referee David Boon just before the start of the chase. Captain Aaron Finch also stood by during the discussion, but didn't appear to say anything.

"Ravindra Jadeja was hit on the helmet in the final over of the first innings of the first T20I," the BCCI tweeted. "Yuzvendra Chahal will take the field in the 2nd innings as a concussion substitute. Jadeja is currently being assessed by the BCCI Medical Team."

This concussion might put Jadeja in doubt for the rest of the series, because head injuries are required to be dealt with seriously, and players are not rushed back in two days' time, which is when the next match will be played. Says the ICC protocol: "Generally, concussion symptoms will settle within two-three days and a player diagnosed with a concussion is ready to return in about a week but, in some individuals, this time might be shorter or longer. Medical oversight, as occurs in elite teams, is essential if a player is to return to play within a week or on a subsequent day of a multi-day match."

More to follow…

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