Concussion sub, Natarajan, dropped catches, Twitter reacts to AUS vs IND, 1st T20

Dec 04, 2020

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Concussion sub, Natarajan, dropped catches, Twitter reacts to AUS vs IND, 1st T20 Image

India started the T20 series against Australia with an 11-run against the hosts. Winning the toss, Australia decided to bowl first and it was the first time that a team winning the toss, lost the game on this tour.

Batting first India posted a total of 162 runs in 20 overs with the help of a KL Rahul half-century and Ravindra Jadeja blockbuster with the bat. The Indian bowlers who were on the backfoot in the powerplay took over the game, inspired by the Yuzvendra Chahal who came in as a concussion sub for Jadeja, and T Natarajan who made his T20 debut.

India got off to a tricky start as they were lost the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan in the third over. Post that it looked like KL Rahul who was in good touch alongside in-form captain Kohli will make it big. It is then that the India captain was dismissed by Michell Swepson in a rather strange fashion.

Before the concussion, confusion, and controversy, Ravindra Jadeja played yet another spectacular innings at the death to take India to a more than respectable total at the Manuka Oval. Former India star Mohammed Kaif was quick to praise the India all-rounder for his performance and talk about his importance in the Indian team.

 

It was after the India innings that things began to take a turn in what has been a rather friendly Australia-India tour so far. Ravindra Jadeja who was struggling with a hamstring was hit in the helmet in the final over but was able to finish off the innings. Before the Australia innings began, match referee David Boon informed the Australia coach Justin Langer and captain Aaron Finch that a doctor had examined Jadeja. He had declared that the player had a concussion and that India will bring in Yuzvendra Chahal as a substitute, who will be able to bowl. Words which neither Langer nor Twitter took lightly.

Chahal went on to take three wickets that included Aaron Finch and Steve Smith and was also declared as the man of the match. Twitter superstar Wasim Jaffer provided an apt description of the event.

Keeping aside the debate, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised the wrist-spinner for his brilliant display.

It was a calamitous beginning for India in the field as they dropped two catches off two balls. One of them being captain Kohli dropping D’Arcy Short, which didn’t prove out to be much expensive for India. Former Australia chinaman, Brad Hogg took to Twitter to explain how it helped the hosts.

Post that incident, India were at their imperious best in the fielding. One of the best moments being Sanju Samson’s catch of Steve Smith. Rightly pointed out by the former Australia captain, Lisa Sthalekar.

T Natarajan who made a fantastic ODI debut two days back was given his first T20 cap by Jasprit Bumrah, and he didn’t disappoint. The SRH sensation in IPL 2020 went on to take three important wickets and earned a lot of praise for his performance. One coming from a former India legend, Kris Shrikkanth.