CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian Journal of Neurotrauma 2020; 17(01): 11-16
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713067
Original Article

The Gentleman’s Game Has New Rules for Concussion: Possible Impact and Controversies

Manjul Tripathi*
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
,
Harsh Deora*
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
,
Nishant S. Yagnick
3   Department of Neurosurgery, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram, Haryana, India
,
Sandeep Mohindra
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
,
Aman Batish
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
,
Jenil Gurnaani
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.

Abstract

Background When Jofra Archer bowled that fateful bouncer that felled Steve Smith, arguably the best batsman in the world, the gut-churning incident revived images of the horrific Phillip Hughes tragedy. Fortunately, Smith was soon up and about, but he was forced off the ground by the medicos. Less than an hour later, the 30-year-old came back to the crease to resume his innings on 80 not out but he did not look right. He soon fell for 92—the first time he was dismissed under a hundred in the series—to a misjudgment that he would never make normally. Following this, discussions regarding concussions in sports in general and cricket in particular had been reignited throughout the world.

Methods We reviewed all available literatures on concussion in cricket and also reviewed all possible guidelines issued by the International Cricket Council and Cricket Australia on concussion. The latest guidelines issued on May 23, 2019 were kept as the basis for this article. Causes and possible methods/steps in management of the same were considered.

Discussion Sport should not be played at the cost of lives and mental well-being of the players. The guidelines issued are very exhaustive and useful but have no meaning if they are not implemented properly. Sports-related injuries are often considered trivial but considering recent events, they are not. There is a spectrum ranging from craniofacial injuries to concussion, leading to career and even life-ending injuries in professional cricket. In retrospect, most of the injuries were concussions but they had a lasting impact on the players’ career.

Conclusion Appropriate medical personnel must be present at all times to cover all matches (preferably having experience in head injuries). The decision on the medical personnel pervades any stage of the game and substitutes should be considered immediately, with return to play only after proper evaluation, and clearance has been obtained.

* Equal First Authorship to Manjul Tripathi and Harsh Deora




Publication History

Article published online:
17 June 2020

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