There Were No Plans of Having Yuzvendra Chahal In The Game: Virat Kohli Opened Up on The Controversy Over Concussion Substitute

India won the first T20I of the three-match series against Australia by 11 runs on Friday (December 4). The first T20I between India and Australia has seen a lot of drama on the field. Ravindra Jadeja suffered a concussion after playing a brilliant knock of 44* off 23 deliveries and then Yuzvendra Chahal came in as his substitute and bowled four overs for team India.

However, the decision to replace Jadeja due to a concussion has stirred controversy as the 31-year-old visibly suffered a hamstring injury while batting. Australia coach Justin Langer and the captain were seen arguing with the match referee David Boon who had gone by the rule books.

At the same time, many have alleged India of taking undue advantage of the rule. These doubts crept in as Ravindra Jadeja was seen struggling with his hamstring during his match-winning knock before being hit on the head in the final over by Mitchell Starc.

Joining the team as Jadeja’s substitute, Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game as he dismissed the three main players of the opponent team – Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade. In his quota of four overs, Chahal conceded only 25 runs.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, however, opened up on the matter after the match and said that there were no fixed plans as such to bring in the leggie.

“There were no plans of having Yuzi in the game. Concussion replacements are a strange thing. Today, it worked for us. Yuzi showed character to squeeze the opponents,” he said after the game.

Virat Kohli Lauded The Bowlers After The First T20I Victory

Team India’s other bowlers also did well in the first T20I match against Australia. T Natarajan, the T20I debutant picked three wickets and conceded 30 runs. Deepak Chahar and Washington Sundar kept resisting the opponent with their variations. Virat Kohli hailed the performance of all the bowlers in the first T20I of 3-match series against Australia.

“I thought they had a great start. They were cruising. The batters offered us a few wickets. That is T20 cricket for you. In Australia, you need to play hard and show intensity till the end. He batted beautifully in the last game. Natarajan looks like he can improve a lot. Chahar bowled well as well. Chahal got us back in the game. Hardik’s catch was a game-changer as well,” the Indian skipper added.