India need to make Decision Review System their friend

India showed they are not over-dependent on Sachin Tendulkar, but it was difficult to shake off the feeling that they continue to be a one-man team. That man keeps changing. On Sunday, it was Yuvraj Singh whose century lacked the fluidity and ease of some of his other efforts. But that only emphasised how much he had dissolved his personality in the team cause.

Yet, as in the past, after the centurion, the flood. It happened against England, then against South Africa when Tendulkar’s dismissal saw nine wickets fall for 29 runs, and now here. India lost seven wickets for 50, which one presumes is an improvement, but the old problem remains.

That of losing wickets in a heap after a good start. Whether it is complacency or panic that takes over is difficult to say, but the net result is the same.

With no one responsible enough to guide the lower middle-order, it will be a problem if India continue to be dismissed before the 50 overs are bowled. Skipper Dhoni batted at five, and is the natural to play that role, but the first time he decided to get aggressive, he was stumped. Yuvraj falling just before the forced powerplay in the 46th over meant that here was further evidence that India hadn’t worked out their powerplay problem.

There is an arbitrariness in taking the powerplay that doesn’t speak too well of the skipper or his coach and the think-tank. Surely, these experienced players discuss match situations, simulate conditions and arrive at the best moment to take the powerplay?

Another element they haven’t mastered is the Decision Review System. When Edwards was run out (and not given out by the umpire), there was a half-hearted, half-humorous attempt by Munaf Patel to draw attention to it, but no clear-headed decision-making that would have earned India a wicket. India might not like the review system, but they had better get familiar with it if they are not to miss out like this.

It will get tougher in the quarterfinals, and India will need all the friends they can get. It is time they began to treat the DRS as a friend.

The writer is an author and columnist who has written on the
game for over a quarter century