5 Reasons why the BCCI should adopt the Decision Review System (DRS)

Why BCCI should accept DRS?

As the Indian board is still not convinced with the accuracy of the techniques used in the DRS, it has refused to use the system in any of the bilateral series India plays in.

Many of the previous captains and players of India including Mohammad Azharuddin, Harbhajan Singh have come forward in support of DRS and have requested the BCCI to accept the review system in order for it to benefit Indian team.

Here are 5 reasons, why BCCI should accept the DRS system

5. Not accepting it is hurting India in crucial situations.

India has got lots of decisions against them that could have changed the tide of the game for India. In the series against Australia in January 2016, Shikhar Dhawan, Chetestwar Pujara got decisions that would have been overturned if DRS was implemented in the series. India lost these wickets in crucial situations which resulted in India losing the match.

4. DRS have evolved from its infant form

India was the first country to try the DRS in 2008 against Sri Lanka. But the bitter experience left them disliking this new and shiny technology to the point, where they have refused to use it in any bilateral series involving them.

BCCI should understand that the DRS system which includes the Hotspot, Hawkeye, Snickometer, has evolved from when these 3 technologies were in their developmental form. The maker of DRS has developed it, removing most of the drawbacks it has.

3. BCCI can afford DRS

BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world. It can afford to use DRS with all the bells and whistles it comes with. Boards are free to use any of the 3 technologies which make DRS in full or in part. India can use the DRS including Hotspot, Hawkeye and Snicko.

Boards of countries like Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan cannot afford DRS due to financial constraints. BCCI can easily help them by utilising the technology in aiding umpires in their decision and making right decisions.

2. Major contention of Hotspot and Hawkeye is being corrected

BCCI’s major bone of contention is the controversial shortcomings of ball tracking Hawkeye and temperature based Hotspot. Hawkeye has shown inconsistency when it comes to ball hitting the pad more than 2.5m in front of stumps. It was a major point raised by BCCI after India vs Ireland 2011 World cup match.

Another point of contention is the hotspot. Former England captain Michael Vaughan implied that Hotspot was not able to pick up edges from VVS Laxman’s bat because he had used Vaseline to grease the edges. It became a heated topic since it was direct accusation on Indian batsman. It also highlighted a major shortcoming in hotspot.

But the inventors of these technologies have assured that these shortcomings have been sorted out. The new and improved DRS were used in the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand test series with great success. BCCI should understand that these technologies can only replicate real life situation to a certain degree of accuracy and human discretion is necessary for it to be fool-proof. Giving it a chance is the only way to make it better.

1. Every other cricket board is ready to use it and/or are using it

Big cricket boards like Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board, New Zealand Cricket Board are using the DRS either in full or according to their needs in series played between them. DRS have been the reason of some very interesting moments in tests series where they have been used.

BCCI’s argument that it is not fool-proof does not hold much merit because it is up to the players when and where to use it. Also it helps the on ground umpires to minimise their errors. It won’t hurt the BCCI to leave their stand against using DRS since they can help develop it into a more fool-proof system.

BCCI should actually set an example by accepting DRS and being in the forefront to make it into a fool-proof system.