Visiting side India continued their dominance in Canberra as they defeated the host Australia by 11 runs in the opening game of the three-match T20 international series.
The highlight of the Manuka Oval T20 international was the concussion substitution used by India after the end of the first innings which cost Australia a game and sparked a fresh chapter to debate on.
During the Indian innings, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja suffered a hamstring injury first, and was subsequently hit on the helmet in the last over which gave India a chance to include spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a concussion substitute in the side for bowling.
The Indian team celebrates the wicket of Glenn Maxwell at Manuka Oval, Canberra, Friday, December 4, 2020. Source: AAP
Match referee allowed replacement
International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee David Boon allowed the Indian side to bring Yuzvendra Chahal in the team to replace injured Ravindra Jadeja. However, Australian team coach Justin Langer was not happy with the decision and was seen discussing the issue with the referee during the innings break.
Former Indian junior chess champion, Yuzvendra Chahal proved his inclusion's worth as he checkmated the home side and took three crucial wickets for 25 runs from his four overs before being named player of the match.
What is the concussion substitution?
According to the new rule, the International Cricket Council (ICC) allows a player who suffers a concussion during a match to be replaced in their team's playing eleven. Earlier, the substitute player only had permissions to field, but the new rule allows the concussion substitute to bowl and bat as well.
'I got to know about my inclusion during innings break': Chahal
Talking about his surprising entry in the game, the star of Friday's show - Yuzvendra Chahal said, "A great feeling, no pressure for me when we were batting then I got to know I was going to play. I have played so many games and was mentally fit. Ten to 15 minutes before I got to know I would play."
'You can't challenge a medical expert's opinion': Finch
Australia captain Aaron Finch said, "Their (India) doctor had ruled Jadeja out due to concussion. You can't be challenging a medical expert's opinion."
"There were no plans of having Yuzi (Chahal) in the game," said Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
Indias Virat Kohli celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Australia's Matthew Wade during their T20 international cricket match at Manuka Oval, in Canberra. Source: AP Photo/Mark Baker
"Concussion replacements are a strange thing. Today, it worked for us. Yuzi showed character to squeeze the opponents."
KL Rahul, Jadeja helped India to put 161 on board
After winning the toss, Australian captain Aaron Finch asked India to bat first.
Thanks to the opener KL Rahul's 51 runs off 40 balls and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's quickfire 44 runs from 23 balls with five fours and a six before he exited the match following his injury. The visitors scored 161 runs on board with the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.
In reply, the formidable Australian side got off to a good start in their run chase, scoring 53 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. However, Yuzvendra Chahal and debutant T. Natarajan showed their magic and sent six Australian batsmen back to the pavilion.
India's Ravindra Jadeja, center, bats against Australia during their T20 international cricket match at Manuka Oval, in Canberra. Source: AP Photo/Mark Baker
The host team kept losing wickets at regular intervals and only managed to get 150 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs.
Jadeja ruled out of the T20i series
India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the rest of the T20 international series against Australia and Shardul Thakur has been added to the team.
“The diagnosis was confirmed based on a clinical assessment in the dressing room during the innings break by the BCCI Medical Team. Jadeja remains under observation and will be taken for further scans if required based on the assessment on Saturday morning. He will not take any further part in the ongoing T20i series,” said BCCI in a statement.
India is unbeaten in T20i in 2020
The 2007 T20 World Champion India is yet to lose a T20i match in the year 2020. Kohli and Co. have played eight matches this year and won all of them including a series win against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Canberra's Manuka Oval lucky for India
After losing the first two matches in Sydney, a trip to Australia's capital - Canberra proved lucky for Team India as they beat the host in the last two matches played at Manuka Oval.
Both teams will now take on each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday where India will look to wrap up the series while Australia will try to keep the tournament alive.
