There's no escaping DRS

The Decision Review System – or DRS as well call it -- is one subject that is seen as taboo in the Indian cricket circle.

While the world has accepted technology despite it having a few shortcomings, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chose to stay away from it. Why? Because the BCCI feels it is not 100 per cent accurate, and is expensive.

But no matter how much they choose to stay away, it somehow creeps back into Indian cricket. Even as the Indian team is busy dealing with the pressure of going into the World Cup as defending champions, the use of DRS will be no less tricky.

The BCCI may continue to ignore the technology in its bilateral series, but it has no option in ICC tournaments. The world body has been using the system in all its events since the 2011 World Cup, barring the World T20s.

While most of the top teams have accepted the technology and know well how and when to use it, it could be quite the opposite for the Indians.

Due to lack of experience and exposure, Dhoni and his team could face a test of sorts on the nuances of using the system.

The last time the Indian team used the DRS was in the 2013 Champions Trophy. Before that, they used it against England in a bilateral series in England. Mind you, they were one of the few teams that successfully used the system in the Champions Trophy.

"I don't see any problem with the Indians using DRS," says former Test cricketer and coach Anshuman Gaekwad. "It is more about judgement than anything else and we have seen that in the past".

However, Gaekwad feels that the players will have to be "smart enough" with regards to the timing of its use. "You may not have used it earlier, but you shouldn't go overboard. They should use it judiciously at the right time," he says.

According to the ICC rules, teams can use one unsuccessful review in an innings in ODIs.

Gaekwad, who feels India has the potential to win the World Cup, believes DRS will be crucial in them defending the title.

"It will be crucial and will play a huge role. As a batsmen, you can consult with the non-striker. Bowlers will have to be more accurate. Obviously, they won't appeal for a leg before wicket (LBW) or caught behind unless it's too close. The bowlers will also have wicketkeeper Dhoni to help them," he says.

During the recent Test series against Australia, many decisions -- mostly LBWs -- could have gone in India's favour but Dhoni chose to stick to his previous stance over the system. Even Virat Kohli echoed the same views.

"It is good and not good, because it is still not foolproof," says Gaekwad.

Gaekwad is yet to be convinced about Hawkeye, a method that tracks LBWs.

"There is big debate on Hawkeye. How can it say if the ball pitches on one spot and can definitely go on to hit the stumps? It's difficult to say what kind of bounce it would generate on a turf wicket," he says.

In India, most voices are against the system. But there are a few who endorse it, like Harbhajan Singh.

"I believe it's time that we accepted the DRS as it will only benefit our cause," he said during the Australia series. "Even if I take it for a fact that DRS is not foolproof and 100 per cent accurate, from a personal point of view, even 90 per cent accurate DRS can get you key decisions at key moments in your favour," Harbhajan had said.

Former Test cricketer and coach-cum-manager of the Indian team, Lalchand Rajput feels India should have used the system in the practice games to help the boys get used to it.

"It may not be foolproof and have its disadvantages, but it could have advantages too. We have to look at the larger picture where it is more beneficial. DRS could have been used in the practice games for the boys to get used to it. This will definitely play a crucial role in the World Cup on those wickets," he says.

 

TECHNOLOGY IN WC

HAWKEYE: This technology is used for leg before wicket decisions, predicting the path of the ball after it pitches to determine whether it would hit the stumps.

SNICKO: It combines video and graphical representation of sound waves recorded from stump and pitch microphones to determine whether the ball nicked the bat and/or pad.

NO HOTSPOT: HotSpot will not be a part of the technology used for the DRS in this World Cup due to shortage of equipment.