Canberra:All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the remainder of India's T20I series against Australia due to a concussion sustained after he was struck in the head while batting during India's innings in the T20I series opener.
Jadeja, who scored an unbeaten 23-ball 44 in the first T20I, was struck on the left side of his forehead by a Mitchell Starc delivery that ricocheted off the bat in the final over of India's innings in the first match of the series on Friday.
He continued to the innings break but was then assessed by the BCCI medical team which confirmed that he had sustained concussion. Subsequently, Yuzvendra Chahal, the leg-spinner, replaced Jadeja for the rest of the match, in line with the new concussion substitute rules implemented in 2019.
Jadeja's place in the squad has been taken up by Shardul Thakur, who was part of the ODI squad but not initially in the reckoning for the T20I series.The spin-bowling all-rounder will be kept under observation, and may be taken for further scans if required based on an assessment which will take place on Saturday morning, according to a statement from the BCCI.
Concussion substitute Chahal went on to earn the Player of the Match award in the first T20I for his 3/25, and so has staked a strong claim to be named in the starting XI for the second match which will be played on Sunday at Sydney. Meanwhile, Thakur was instrumental in India's victory in the third ODI, picking up three wickets to stymie Australia's chase.
No comment has been made on Jadeja's likely availability for the ICC World Test Championship series between the sides which begins on December 17, though in the meantime he remains in the squad.(UNI)
