After opposing the Decision Review System for quite some time, the BCCI finally agreed to implement it on a trial basis in the England series. But the much-debated technology once again came into the spotlight due to the umpire’s call. As per the rules, the decision taken by the on-field umpire on LBW being referred to the third umpire is referred back if replays show that the ball is just marginally touching the stumps. As a result, the umpire has been given the right to persist with his original decision.
Speculations were rife on the technology’s future after a couple of reviews by the Indian team was turned down in quick succession during the second Test. However, Indian captain Virat Kohli has expressed his satisfaction with the system and backed the on-field umpires.
Speaking to the media, Kohli said:“I think it is just one way to make sure that everyone knows the correct decision has been made or not. The umpire’s call bit everyone understands because they are the people who are given the job to make decisions and it is respected even in the DRS System. I think that is pretty fair. A lot of people don’t understand that.”
“If the on-field umpire has made the call, then obviously the benefit has to go to him, what his vision of the decision was and then DRS just confirms that particular decision. If it is really, really off, then DRS corrects it but if it is marginal, then you got to respect it. That’s all it does. I think it clarifies the decision that is made on the field. I think that’s absolutely fine,” he added.
When asked whether he was happy with the technology, the skipper said:“Yes, I am pretty happy with it. It just confirms the decision that’s been made on the field. And if you want to challenge the umpire, it’s not just you telling him that he could have made a different decision, you have the option of checking it again and figure out if it is wrong or right. I think it is pretty fair for the game.”
Kohli said that his team still needs some time to assess the system.
“I think we need to have a bit more patience with that particular aspect. We as a team have only played two Test matches with DRS. And I can’t analyse the progress in the span of eight days. It’s not something that’s going to drastically change, something that’s going to keep going on in one direction. We will analyse over a period of 12 months as to how we have used it. A span of eight days is too less to judge, I feel,” he said.
“People don’t realise after the ball is declared dead is when the 15 seconds start and not before. So those are the sort of things we will be more aware of going forward but a span of two games is very little to judge how we have gone so far with DRS,” he concluded.