Hyderabad: Justin Langer, the head coach of the Australian team, was seen arguing with match referee David Boon during the opening T20I match between India and Australia, with the point of contention being Yuzvendra Chahal replacing Ravindra Jadeja as concussion substitute.
It happened in the second ball of the final over when Jadeja top-edged a back-of-a-length delivery by Mitchell Starc into his helmet. The left-handed batsman wasn't checked by the physio promptly, which is the norm, and went on to play three more balls in the innings.
The incident meant, India could play a substitute since Jadeja was hit on the head and subsequently the team management decided to go with leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
What the rule states?
Rule 1.2.7.3 of the ICC playing conditions for concussion substitution states: “The ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match.”
Rule 1.2.7.7 states: “The decision of the ICC Match Referee in relation to any Concussion Replacement Request shall be final and neither team shall have any right of appeal.”
In simple terms, if Virat Kohli gets injured, he can't be replaced by Jasprit Bumrah or Hardik Pandya. Kohli will only be replaced by a pure batsman and not an all-rounder or a bowler.
What the controversy is about?
The Australian team management were not happy with the decision and disagreed with Boon's decision as, according to them, Chahal being a pure bowler and right-arm leg spinner was not a 'like-for-like' replacement of Jadeja. Furthermore, Jadeja is an all-rounder and a left-arm spinner.
Reaction from Australian squad: 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.
Reaction from India's side: Sunil Gavaskar said,""First and foremost let me say that match referee is a former Australian cricketer David Boon. He was okay with Chahal substituting for Jadeja. They normally say like-for-like and Chahal is not an all-rounder but if he goes out with the bat whether it's one run or 100 run, he is an all-rounder."
