Concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal: The Indian spinner sent back Australia’s two premier batsmen in consecutive overs.
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During the first T20I of the ongoing India’s tour of Australia in Canberra, India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal drew first blood in the second innings despite not being part of the starting XI for the visitors.
It is worth mentioning that Chahal had replaced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as a concussion substitute after the southpaw was hit on the helmet while scoring a career-best 44* (23) with the help of five fours and a six.
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The manner in which Jadeja wasn’t attended by a doctor after coping the blow and continued to bat in the final over did attract severe criticism but the same didn’t stop Chahal from creating an impact in the match.
Introduced to bowl in the eighth over by India captain Virat Kohli, Chahal sent back Australia captain Aaron Finch (35) and batsman Steven Smith (12) in consecutive overs to dent the opposition in a 162-run chase.
Both Finch and Smith lost their wickets in an attempt to attack the 30-year old spinner. While Chahal bowled disciplined lines and lengths, both the wickets were duly assisted by extra-ordinary boundary catches from Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson.
With all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (2) becoming debutant T. Natarajan’s maiden T20I wicket, Australia are relying heavily on the likes of all-rounder Moises Henriques and wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade to score 49 runs in the last five overs.
Concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal dismisses Aaron Finch and Steve Smith
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