India’s Dilemma Review System

India’s tryst with the DRS hasn’t been smooth. The players are just getting used to the fact of technology being available but India have often been at the wrong end of using the system. Cheteshwar Pujara then appeared to have got it spot on when he successfully overturned an lbw decision and went on to score a hundred in his home ground. However, all the good work he did to judge and rely on technology failed in the second innings when he didn’t review his lbw decision. With the ball pitching outside leg, the decision would have been reversed. 

Coach Kumble was visibly upset in the pavilion. In the second Test here, with the pitch taking turn, India were again in a spot of bother with technology. 

Moeen Ali bowled a perfect off-break to Wriddhiman Saha and the wicket-keeper batsman missed it completely. Umpire Dharmasena raised the finger but Saha reviewed it only to find the umpire’s call stand. Two balls later, Ravindra Jadeja played for the turn off Ali and fell lbw. 

The batsman walked off but replays suggested that the ball would have missed the legstump. Jadeja had a word with his partner Ravichandran Ashwin, but with Saha wasting a review, the duo might have thought not to go for review.

When England batted, India seemed to get it right. Jayant Yadav’s first wicket was an example. Kohli asked for a review and Moeen was adjudged lbw. That led them to have a go at DRS again. Jadeja, all pumped up, tried to induce a faint nick but the ball missed Ben Stokes’ bat. The umpire dismissed the appeal but India went upstairs for a review only for the  umpire’s call to stay. The wicketkeeper wasn’t interested but Jadeja wanted to go for the review. And it was turned down after review.