Within the fourth T20I between India and England on January 31, 2025, Jamie Overton’s supply struck Shivam Dube on the helmet throughout the nineteenth over. Following a compulsory concussion evaluation, Dube continued to bat, however was run out on the following supply, presumably attributable to impaired judgment stemming from the affect. Subsequently, India launched Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute for Dube, a transfer that sparked debate over the appropriateness of the substitute.
Cricket was thought-about a protected sport largely, till Phil Hughes tragic dying in 2014 highlighted potential dangers. Regardless of carrying a helmet, the Australian cricketer suffered a deadly vertebral artery dissection from a short-pitched supply. This led the ICC to reinforce participant security, introducing redesigned helmets with prolonged guards and mandating wicketkeepers to put on helmets whereas standing as much as spinners. In 2019, concussion protocols have been applied, requiring necessary medical evaluations for any participant injured earlier than resuming play.
What’s a Concussion?
A concussion is a light traumatic mind harm attributable to a sudden hit, jolt, or affect on the pinnacle or physique, resulting in speedy motion of the mind contained in the cranium. This shaking disrupts regular mind perform, leading to short-term neurological dysfunction with out essentially inflicting structural harm seen on imaging. Although typically delicate, concussions require correct care to stop long-term problems. Concussions happen as a result of speedy acceleration and deceleration of the mind contained in the cranium. It’s a practical mind harm leading to an power deficit from biomechanical pressure.
The mind is a jelly-like delicate organ sitting contained in the inflexible cranium and cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid. It includes gray matter (neuronal cell our bodies) and white matter (nerve fibres or axons). Throughout speedy acceleration or deceleration—akin to when a fast-moving ball strikes a cricketer—the mind can transfer again & forth throughout the cranium. This motion might result in a disruption in regular mind exercise.
When a pressure hits the pinnacle, the mind is shaken, stretching the fragile axons that join neurons. These axons aren’t simply wires—they make us aware, assume and understand the world. Once they stretch, potassium ions leak out, triggering uncontrolled electrical firing throughout the mind. This misfiring is why concussed gamers expertise dizziness, confusion or flashes of sunshine.
If the stretching is an excessive amount of, the axon breaks, releasing tau protein, a substance linked to power mind ailments. Over time, repeated concussions and even minor undiagnosed hits result in tau buildup, inflicting power traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), persona adjustments, anxiousness, melancholy, and dementia. Cricket might not be as violent, however quick bowlers hurling 140 km/h deliveries at close-range batsmen create a big threat.
Causes and signs
Concussions happen attributable to two main forces—linear and rotational acceleration—which affect the mind throughout sudden acceleration and deceleration. These forces are measured utilizing accelerometers positioned in athletes’ helmets or mouthguards. A concussion usually occurs between 70-120Gs of linear acceleration and 5500-9500 rad/s² of rotational acceleration. Kids maintain concussions at 62Gs, whereas adults require 98Gs attributable to stronger necks. Extreme mind accidents happen at 316Gs, typically seen in automotive accidents. In cricket, a 156-gram ball bowled at 80 miles per hour, hitting the batsman for lower than 3 milliseconds, can generate sufficient pressure to induce a concussion, even when it hits a protected space.
A concussion is identified when a person experiences a head harm attributable to an exterior pressure, akin to a blow to the pinnacle or a sudden jolt, accompanied by a minimum of one of many following 22 signs: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, steadiness issues, blurred imaginative and prescient, sensitivity to gentle, sensitivity to noise, feeling sluggish, feeling foggy, issue concentrating, reminiscence issues, confusion, feeling extra emotional, irritability, unhappiness, nervousness, anxiousness, sleep disturbances, issue falling asleep, sleeping greater than standard, or sleeping lower than regular. Even the presence of a single symptom related to an harm could be indicative of a concussion and warrants rapid medical analysis. Concussion signs can seem instantly or be delayed for hours or days. Signs usually final 7 to 14 days, however in some circumstances, they’ll persist for weeks and even months, particularly if not correctly managed, requiring medical analysis
Former cricketer Kris Srikkanth lately urged on his YouTube channel that concussions ought to be handled like every other harm. However concussions are certainly a novel sort of harm. A concussion is a practical harm, not a structural one. The harm isn’t seen on MRI or CT scans as a result of the issue isn’t within the mind’s construction however in its perform. It’s an power deficit—a brief breakdown within the mind’s electrical system attributable to speedy acceleration and deceleration contained in the cranium.
Not like a damaged bone that forces a participant to cease, a concussed participant might sound fantastic after a couple of minutes of dizziness and blackout. That is what makes it harmful. The mind remains to be struggling to reset, however the participant, unaware of the danger, may push by means of. Cricket is aggressive, and the temptation to maintain going is excessive. Therefore, defending a concussed participant’s well being rests on the sporting authorities, who should intervene. That’s why a concussed participant is changed—not only for equity within the recreation, however for his or her survival.
Whereas cricket has lately intensified its deal with concussion administration, different contact sports activities have lengthy acknowledged the dangers related to head accidents. Ice hockey was among the many first to introduce concussion substitutes in 1997. In soccer (soccer), research have proven that concussions are extra typically the results of player-to-player contact moderately than heading the ball itself. Different sports activities have seen the implications—American soccer, boxing, and rugby have lengthy handled CTE circumstances.
Lengthy-Time period Implications
Repeated concussions can have cumulative results, resulting in long-term neurological points like CTE. The potential for such extreme outcomes highlights the significance of strict adherence to concussion administration protocols and the need of satisfactory relaxation and restoration intervals. It’s past my scope to interpret whether or not Shivam Dube’s substitute was a real like-for-like substitute. Whereas the specifics of his medical analysis aren’t publicly disclosed, returning to play quickly after a concussion is mostly not advisable. Medical tips suggest a gradual return to exercise to make sure full restoration and minimise the danger of additional harm. In conclusion, concussions are advanced accidents that require cautious administration, holding the athletes long-term well being in thoughts past his enjoying days.
(Dr. C. Aravinda is a tutorial and public well being doctor. The views expressed are private. aravindaaiimsjr10@hotmail.com)
Revealed – February 10, 2025 10:08 pm IST
