‘Indecision’ Review System as India found wanting

The five-match England series against India was the first time that India used Decision Review System in Test cricket — something they had strong reservations during Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s era. 

But in the seven Test matches since the start of DRS usage, India have got only 17 correct decisions out of the 55 referrals that they have taken. This comprise both batting and fielding statistics and the success percentage comes to a mere 30.9 percent. 

In a few cases, it has been an act of desperation bordering on selfishness as it has been the case with Murali Vijay and KL Rahul wasting two reviews within the first six overs during the Pune Test. It didn’t matter as the Indians were outplayed fair and square by the Australians but it could have cost dearly had someone like Virat Kohli played a big innings and then got a raw deal. 

The problem with India has been more to do with referrals while fielding where they have got only 10 correct out of 42 that they have taken in seven Test matches. While batting, it has been a touch better with 7 successful reviews out of 13 taken. 

While the final call for a fielding team’s DRS rests with the captain, it is the close in-fielders who have fluffed their lines including wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who have not been able to get their concepts right about the umpire’s call. 

Former India wicketkeeeper Deep Dasgupta, who is now an analyst feels that one should get it clear that DRS is there to help the umpires get it rather than other way round. “DRS should be strictly used for howlers. And it is a tool to help umpires be as accurate as possible. For me an umpire’s call should only be challenged in case of leg before if a player is absolutely sanguine that he has had an inside edge onto the pads,” Dasgupta said. 

“Every batsman knows if he has had an edge or not. So if anyone thinks that ball tracker will help him, he should get the concept right. As far as fielding team’s referrals are concerned, the wicketkeeper should be the DRS captain. He should be assertive enough if need be to tell the skipper that don’t go for it. The keeper’s conviction makes it easier for the skipper,” Dasgupta added.