Chahal for concussed Jadeja was a legitimate switch

India’s recovery after losing the ODI series in the first two matches itself has been smart and impressive. Winning the third ODI against the trend of play showed resolve, resilience and wherewithal, which was being seriously questioned. It also created the confidence to win the first T20 international.

There was some quirky luck for India when Yuzvendra Chahal, who came in as ‘concussion substitute’ for Ravindra Jadeja did the star turn, picking up three wickets. Without Jadeja’s batting and Chahal’s bowling, India would never have won, so maybe the Man of the Match award should have been shared between the two!

That the Aussies did not like how the substitution was carried out was evident from coach Justin Langer haranguing match referee David Boon during the innings changeover.

Australia’s objections, as one understands from reports, was on two fronts.

One, since Jadeja continued batting after being hit on the helmet, was this strictly a case for concussion substitution? Second, was Chahal for Jadeja a “like for like” replacement which this rule demands? Debate on the matter will doubtless continue for some time. What’s clear though is that the decision of the referee is final and binding, so Chahal for Jadeja in the first T20 was a legitimate switch.

The momentum is now with India, and if the T20 series can be won, it will be a shot in the arm for the team which looked so beleaguered in the first two ODIs. There is no scope for excuses at the highest level and India — to put it bluntly — were outplayed and outclassed by the Aussies in the first two matches of the ODI series.

But it must also be acknowledged that unlike the Aussies, who’ve played a bilateral series in England and also some domestic Sheffield Shield cricket — plus the IPL for those who were in the league — India’s players have had no such opportunities apart from the IPL.

Even being in a biosecure bubble at home is an advantage, which is why I think this turnaround by the Indian team has been quite remarkable. Issue now is sustenance — of form and fitness — and resource management by the support staff as there is still a lot of cricket remaining on this tour.

Jadeja, for instance, will not play in the remaining two T20s. That is a major blow considering he is a genuine all-rounder and has been in excellent form with bat though his bowling has been found wanting. In the T20s for instance, will he be replaced by Chahal? And if so does that weaken the Indian batting?

This is Kohli/Shastri’s immediate vexing problem. In a slightly longer time frame is the bigger concern: will Jadeja be fully fit for the first Test? The Test series which starts on December 17 is the main assignment and India will want all their players ready, physically and mentally, more so with Virat Kohli returning home after the first match.

Hopefully, Rohit Sharma will be on the flight to Australia after the NCA medical staff assess him on December 11, but there are still other areas to cover adequately. Some of these may be linked to injury and rehab (like Jadeja), some to form and having back up players in place.

This is where believe Hardik Pandya and T. Natarajan can be of great value. Though neither was in the original Test squad, their presence in Australia can be exploited. Both Pandya don’t have to go through the mandatory quarantine process which

I any other player would have to. And their skills are no less pertinent.

While Pandya was left out from the Test squad because he isn’t bowling much, his batting in white ball cricket on this tour has been magnificent. He could be an asset as a batsman alone. Debutant Natarajan has impressed hugely in the two white ball matches he’s played.

As a left arm seamer he brings variety in the attack. He wasn’t originally in the ODI squad too. Drafted in late, he made an impact. Even if he’s not played, just the experience of being with the team in such an important series would be an invaluable learning curve for Natarajan.