BCCI briefs players on anti-concussion helmets
The BCCI has briefed its players on the importance of wearing anti-concussion helmets, but left the decision to use a neck guard on them to individual choice. Since the Steve Smith incident during the 2nd Ashes Test, there have been growing calls to make the neck guard mandatory.
Ever since the death of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes in 2014, Cricket Australia, the ICC, and all major cricketing bodies the world over have widely deliberated on the issue of concussion. The ICC's cricket committee eventually came out with concussion substitute – a change in the rule that has been welcomed by all and one that Australia effectively used, in the form of Marnus Labuschagne at Lord’s. However, ‘neck guards’ on helmets are yet to be made mandatory, and the BCCI is in agreement with the current standing of things on that front.
"Once the new rules on concussions came into effect, the BCCI briefed the captain as well as the coaching staff about it. We have told them about helmets with anti-concussion element -- neck guards. A few players including Shikhar Dhawan use it but we can't force them. The helmet is also about a matter of comfort," a senior BCCI official told PTI.
"But the helmet is something that a player should be comfortable with. Some players may find it difficult to manoeuvre or feel a bit discomfort around the neck region. Till ICC doesn't make it mandatory, I believe we should leave it up to the players," he added.
However, ever since Steve Smith was floored by a rapid bouncer to the neck on Day 4 of the 2nd Test, there have been calls to make the additional protection compulsory.
"I think it (helmets with neck guards) should be (mandatory)," Peter Brukner, a former doctor of the Australian cricket team from 2012-2017, told The Australian newspaper.
But some among the Indian cricketing fraternity are in sharp opposition to this, as they feel that it cannot be made mandatory based on Smith's technique only.
"You can't tell a youngster to copy Steve Smith's technique. It's very unique and very effective. But for him only. Also, every team doesn't have a Jofra Archer-like bowler. It could be against a team with medium pacers on Feroz Shah Kotla. Why do you need a neck guard there," Harbhajan Singh commented.
"Sachin Tendulkar used to wear 'Forma' helmets and Virat (Kohli) does the same. Rahul (Dravid) used to wear CMD while a lot of players use 'Masuri' helmets. I can tell you when I used CMD, I would have some discomfort near my neck region as the side grill of the visor would graze it. But Masuri had a wider base and I felt comfortable. So it's an individual choice," former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta said.
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