Former Indian cricketers slam BCCI's non-acceptance of Decision Review System

Rohit Sharma was wrongly given out caught-behind in the 2nd innings of the Brisbane Test

There is increasing heat on India’s cricketing body to accept the Decision Review System, ICC’s technology-based system to verify the on-field umpire’s decision. The BCCI has been the only national cricket body to have not accepted the DRS because of its fallability since its inception in 2009.

There have been several marginal decisions which have gone against the Indian team in the ongoing tour of Australia, and questions are being increasingly asked as to why the BCCI is adamantly holding on to their notion that DRS will interfere with the ‘human element’ in the game.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni re-asserted after the Brisbane Test that the DRS will not change anything even if brought into use, but former Indian cricketers have lambasted BCCI’s adamance in not yielding to the advantages of technology.

Wrong decisions in key moments could have been overturned

Harbhajan Singh said, “I believe it's time that we accepted the DRS as it will only benefit our cause. If you look, in both Test matches, India were very competitive but there were key moments when our boys got a raw deal. I can recall four decisions. Shikhar's (Dhawan) caught behind in the second innings of the first Test in Adelaide. (Cheteshwar) Pujara's caught behind in the first innings of second Test followed by Rohit (Sharma) and Ashwin's decision in the second innings.

“Had DRS been there, all these decisions were sure to be overturned and we might have been in a winning position in both Test matches. Even if I take it for a fact that DRS is not foolproof and 100 percent accurate, from a personal point of view, even 90 percent accurate DRS can get you key decisions at key moments in your favour,"

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin said, "When other cricket playing nations are not averse to using it (DRS) then why is India ignoring it? In this (Brisbane) Test match, so many decisions went against India, they could have gone in their favour. I strongly feel that either you completely use technology or just ignore it.”

“Once the ICC has approved it, then everyone should fall into its ambit. For a simple run-out or an elementary decision the umpires go to the third umpire even if the batsman is three yards short of his crease. I fail to understand this half-hearted approach.”

DRS will become integral part of cricket in future

Former Selection Committe Chairman Dilip Vengsarkar said that the ongoing tour had made him revise his stand about accepting the DRS – “I was of the opinion that DRS is not 100 percent foolproof but it seems we have to go for the technology now. A lot of easy decisions have gone against us and that has hurt us badly in the series.”

Legendary spinner Erapalli Prasanna said mysteriously, “From the beginning, I have been vocal about using DRS. Why isn't it being used? Ask the BCCI.”

Former India captain Ajit Wadekar said, “India have been the worst sufferers for not using DRS. Teams like England and Australia have benefitted and we must also start using DRS.”

Former Selection Committe Chairman Chandu Borde seemed to imply that it is only a matter of time before the Decision Review System becomes as part and parcel of cricket as the front-foot no-ball.

“Technology impacts every other walk of life. Why not cricket if it is for the betterment of the game and it will satisfy players, public every one. When front foot no ball rule was introduced there was opposition. Now everyone accepts it. Similarly accepting DRS will also help us in improving the game”.