'You have to call it the human factor in the game and move on' - Harshal Patel disapproves of DRS for wide and no-ball

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel is not convinced with the new review system which is set to be implemented in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The 16th edition of the IPL will get underway on Friday, March 31 when the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

The Decision Review System (DRS) for wides and (waist-high) no-balls was initiated during the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), and it will be applicable for the IPL 2023 as well. But the RCB bowler believes that the system might affect the accuracy of decisions. 

While speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Harshal opined that the DRS calls for wides and no-balls could fall in grey area due to various factors. 

"Technology can definitely be helpful in situations where you can separate black and white. But these balls are always going to be grey, especially wide-ball lines. Because you can't really judge how much the batter has moved, whether the ball was within his reach, the angle of the delivery,” Harshal said.

Harshal Patel explains the factors that determine wide or no-ball

Harshal spoke about the different factors which will determine a wide or a no-ball. He said that there will be a huge difference in a right-hander bowling from over the wicket and the left-hander bowling from around the wicket. He also added that when a right-hander batter tries to reach the ball bowled by a left-hander from over the wicket, an angle of deviation is created which could hamper the decision made by the umpire. 

"There's going to be a huge difference in where the ball finishes between a right-hander bowling the same (ball) a couple of inches outside the wide line and a left-hander bowling from over the stumps a couple of inches outside the wide line. When the (right-hand) batter tries to reach, it's always going to be wider when he plays the left-hander, (and) it's always going to be closer when he plays the right-hander,” Harshal said.

The 32-year-old said that it is impossible to consider all these factors while making decisions since it needs more time. However, he added that this review system will not solve the problem.

"I don't know how many of these factors will be taken into account when making decisions. Obviously, they can't take a lot of these factors into account because that will consume a lot of time. In my humble opinion, this doesn't solve the problem. You have to call it the human factor in the game and move on," he added.

RCB will be coming into the 2023 IPL with an aim to win their maiden title. The Faf du Plessis-led side will kickstart their IPL 2023 campaign against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians on April 2 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.