A controversy stirred up for the first time during India’s ongoing tour of Australia and debates had started to take place on social media. The whole drama began when Yuzvendra Chahal was brought in as a concussion substitute for Jadeja. This left the Australian team management fuming and they disagreed with match referee David Boon’s decision to allow India a concussion sub despite Jadeja not being given a concussion test on the spot. He, however, turned out as a player of the match for finishing with match-winning figures of 3/25. 

 

 

 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) agreed to allow the use of concussion replacements in all international cricket matches from 1 August 2019, with substitute having to be a "like-for-like replacement" and approved by the Match Referee.

 

The ICC had said, "Following a two-year trial of concussion replacements in domestic cricket, the ICC approved concussion player replacements in all formats of men’s and women’s international cricket and for First-Class cricket worldwide. This will be included in ICC playing conditions from 1 August 2019. Decisions on replacements will continue to be made by the team medical representative and the player should be a like-for-like replacement who will need to be approved by the Match Referee.

 

 

 

During the second ball of the final over of India's innings, bowled by Mitchell Starc, the ball had Jadeja's helmet. The ball went towards a backward point where the catch was dropped. Jadeja wasn’t checked by the Indian team physio on the spot following the incident and he played only three more balls after that and hit two boundaries.

 

 

In the previous over, Jadeja had already grabbed his hamstring and the physio went out to treat him. He was seen struggling with his running between the wickets and the injury apparently had put a question mark over his participation in the rest of the match.

 

 

After Jadeja was assessed by the medical team, India asked for a concussion sub during the innings break, which was approved by the match referee David Boon. The decision didn’t go down well with Australia coach Justin Langer, as he was seen having a heated conversation with Boon. Australia captain Aaron Finch was present as well. Langer left the conversation visibly annoyed. Although Jadeja wasn’t given a concussion test on the spot, the experts say it is usually for symptoms to show up late.

 

Harsha Bhogale, in a tweet, said that when Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan came in as concussion substitute after wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das was hit by a snorter from India pacer Mohammed Shami on the opening day of the Day/Night Test in 2019, "there, the physio came out, the protocol was implemented but the symptoms appeared an over or two later." Similarly, when was Jadeja assesed, India took on concussion sub.

 

 

 

Rule 1.2.8.1 state, "In assessing whether the nominated Concussion Replacement should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC Match Referee should consider the likely role the concussed player would have played during the remainder of the match, and the normal role that would be performed by the nominated Concussion Replacement."

 

Rule 1.2.8.2 state, "If the ICC Match Referee believes that the inclusion of the nominated Concussion Replacement, when performing their normal role, would excessively advantage their team, the Match Referee may impose such conditions upon the identity and involvement of the Concussion Replacement as he/she sees fit, in line with the overriding objective of facilitating a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player."

 

However, the ICC concussion management guidelines allow concussion test at the end of the over as well – “At the end of the over, if the player resumes play after having sustained a blow on the head.” In this case, the end of the over marked the end of the innings, and Jadeja was assessed after he returned to the dressing-room

 

 

Many feel that the ‘like-for-like’ phrase does not fit here well. Jadeja is a left-arm spin-allrounder, while Chahal who replaced him is a right-arm leg-spinner and a pure bowler. Speaking to cricket.com.au, Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques questioned whether Chahal was the right player to replace Jadeja. “I think the only real issue is you’ve got to ask yourself was it a like-for-like replacement? Is he (Jadeja) an (sic) out-and-out spinner?” Henriques said.