Tom Moody, the former Australian all-rounder and coach, said the biggest issue in the ongoing debate of concussion substitute was the fact that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja wasn’t given a check-up by medical staff as per protocols after he was struck on the head by a bouncer from Mitchell Starc in the final 20th over of India’s innings.
The first T20I match between India and Australia, who won ODI series 2-1 saw the Virat Kohli led Indian side using a concussion substitute after Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja in the Australian innings.
Tom Moody: Issue Related To Protocols Once Player Hit On Head
The move paid rich dividends for India who went on to win the match by 11 runs after posting 161/7. ‘Concussion Substitute’ Yuzvendra Chahal and ‘Yorker Specialist’ debutant T Natarajan picked three wickets apiece.
Ravindra Jadeja scored an unbeaten 44, and KL Rahul earlier scored 51 to see India give Australia a 162 run target. To add to Australia’s woes, Yuzvendra Chahal picked 3 vital wickets conceding only 25 runs.
“My issue is more related to the protocols once the player is hit on the head. This is obviously posting the tragedy of Phil Hughes, who lost his life. The protocol is very clear on this,” Moody said on ESPNCricinfo.
“Once a batsman gets hit in the head, the medical team comes to the ground – to make sure the player is clear and okay to continue. And two, the helmet is okay – and more often than not, they replace the helmet. The manufacturers of the helmet cannot guarantee that there are no fractures in the helmet itself. None of that took place,” Tom Moody said.
“That is, for me, the no. 1 concern. This is not Jadeja’s fault. We don’t know this – he may have a delayed concussion. Which is absolutely possible – I have no issues with Chahal replacing him as a concussion substitute, ” the Australian commented.
Tom Moody said protocols of medical team attending the player concussed on the ground should be strictly adhered to and suggested that Ravindra Jadeja may have a delayed concussion as he has no issue with Yuzvendra Chahal coming into the field as a concussion substitute.
Tom Moody recalled the Phil Hughes incident in 2014 when he died aged only 25 after he was hit on the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at Sydney. He went into an induced coma and died 3 days before his 26th birthday. He played in 26 tests and 25 ODIs.
Tom Moody: No Issues As It Was Right To Replace Ravindra Jadeja With A Specialist Spinner
Tom Moody says that although Ravindra Jadeja is a left-arm orthodox spinner and Yuzvendra Chahal is a right-arm legbreak spinner, the former was in the playing XI to bowl four overs. So, there should not be issues to replace the all-rounder with a specialist spinner, according to Tom Moody.
“Yes, they are different kinds of spinners – one’s better than the other – but on the other hand, Jadeja was selected in the side to bowl four overs. So, I have the right to replace him with a specialist spinner. I have no issues with that either, ” the veteran Australian said.
“My issue is more around the process that was not taken at the point when Jadeja was hit in the helmet. If that was done, like the way it should have been done, we would not be sitting here and having this discussion.
“We would understand that he possibly had a delayed concussion – and it is a coincidence that he has a hamstring niggle as well. But we need to worry about the player,” Tom Moody signed off.
Tom Moody said that everyone should worry about Ravindra Jadeja’s health instead of creating an unnecessary fuss about the issue. Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the remaining two matches, and pacer Shardul Thakur replaces him in the remaining 2 T20Is.