India vs Australia: 'Can't be challenging a medical expert's opinion,' says Finch after 1st T20I loss

Australia skipper Aaron Finch said one cannot challenge a medical expert's opinion, referring to Yuzvendra Chahal coming in as a concussion substitute in the second innings of the first Twenty20 International (T20I) against India on Friday.

Ravindra Jadeja, who scored an unbeaten 44 off 23 balls to lead India to a respectable total of 161 for 7 in 20 overs, was hit on the helmet in the final over of the first innings and the Indian cricket board's medical team decided to examine the player before letting him go on with the proceedings. Sending Chahal as a concussion substitute did not go well with many former cricketers as they claimed that India used the substitute without following the desired protocol, pointing out the fact that Jadeja didn't undergo a concussion test after he was seen limping in the final over.

After Australia fell short by 11 runs at the end of the game at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, Finch did not raise questions on India's concussion substitute but stated that his side lost because they leaked too many runs in the final few overs.

"Their doctor had ruled Jadeja out with a concussion and you can't be challenging a medical expert's opinion. We probably leaked a few too many runs at the end and then in the middle phase struggled to hit boundaries," added Finch in the post-match interview. When quizzed about his hip injury, Finch revealed that it worsened as the match progressed.

"The injury got progressively worse as the game went on," Finch said.

Australia started off with their chase of 162 on a positive note as they had 50 runs on the board without any loss of wicket inside six overs. It was the concussion substitute, who provided India with the much-needed breakthrough. Chahal dismissed Finch in the eighth over, leaving Australia at 56 for 1. The Australian skipper struck a six and five fours in his knock of 26-ball 35. In his next over, Chahal got rid of the dangerous Steve Smith, who went for 12 off 9. Chahal, who was awarded the Player of the Match, even got the wicket of Matthew Wade, who managed only 7 off 9.

Fast bowler T Natarajan, who made his India debut in the third One-Day International (ODI) against Australia earlier this week, picked three wickets on his maiden T20I appearance on Saturday. He dismissed D'Arcy Short, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc as the Hyderabad pacer finished with figures of 3 for 30 in his quota of four overs.

Speaking in the post-match interview, Indian skipper Virat Kohli admitted that concussion replacements are a strange thing and it worked in their favour on Saturday.

"There were no plans of having Yuzi in the game. Concussion replacements are a strange thing. Today, it worked for us. Yuzi showed character to squeeze the opponents. I thought they had a great start. They were cruising. The batters offered us a few wickets. That is T20 cricket for you. In Australia, you need to play hard and show intensity till the end.

He batted beautifully in the last game. Natarajan looks like he can improve a lot. Chahar bowled well as well. Chahal got us back in the game. Hardik's catch was a game changer as well," added Kohli.