Give it more time
DRS may have stirred debate with regard to third umpire’s role, but Kohli feels it’s too early to judge.
The Decision Review System has made a silent entry in India. Both India and England have had their share of hits and misses, giving enough food for thought to the teams and observers.
There is question mark over the DRS protocols, especially with regard to the third umpire’s role. Should he be empowered especially in LBW scenarios? Should the third umpire intervene if the on-field umpire declares a batsman not-out to an LBW appeal when the ball-tracking technology suggests that some part of the delivery was in line with the stumps?
However, Virat Kohli is not complaining. “I think it is just one way to make sure that everyone knows the correct decision has been made or not. The umpire are given the job to make decisions and it is respected even in the DRS System. I think that is pretty fair. A lot of people don’t understand that. If the on-field umpire has made the call, then obviously the benefit has to go to him, what his vision of the decision was and then DRS just confirms that particular decision. If it is really, really off, then DRS corrects it but if it is marginal, then you got to respect it (the umpires call). I think that’s absolutely fine. I am pretty happy with it,” he said.
Since India have used the DRS for merely two Tests, Kohli feels any judgment should be reserved for now. “We need to have a bit more patience. As a team, we have played only two Test matches with DRS. And I can’t analyse the progress in the span of eight days. We will analyse over a period of 12 months as to how we have used it. But obviously the wicketkeeper and the bowler are the main people who have the best sight of where the ball hit the pad or if they heard the sound of the bat. The close-in fielders as well play a massive role.”
As if now, the Indian captain looks satisfied, but these approval ratings might change in a jiffy with one 50-50 call or a wrong use of technology during the series should it lead to a heartbreaking loss.
The Decision Review System has made a silent entry in India. Both India and England have had their share of hits and misses, giving enough food for thought to the teams and observers.
There is question mark over the DRS protocols, especially with regard to the third umpire’s role. Should he be empowered especially in LBW scenarios? Should the third umpire intervene if the on-field umpire declares a batsman not-out to an LBW appeal when the ball-tracking technology suggests that some part of the delivery was in line with the stumps?
The role of the DRS was debated when Alastair Cook survived a leg-before appeal in the second innings of the Visakhapatnam Test. In the Rajkot Test, Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t use the DRS even though replays confirmed that the ball had pitched outside leg. Experts believe the third umpire should have been involved there.
However, Virat Kohli is not complaining. “I think it is just one way to make sure that everyone knows the correct decision has been made or not. The umpire are given the job to make decisions and it is respected even in the DRS System. I think that is pretty fair. A lot of people don’t understand that. If the on-field umpire has made the call, then obviously the benefit has to go to him, what his vision of the decision was and then DRS just confirms that particular decision. If it is really, really off, then DRS corrects it but if it is marginal, then you got to respect it (the umpires call). I think that’s absolutely fine. I am pretty happy with it,” he said.
Since India have used the DRS for merely two Tests, Kohli feels any judgment should be reserved for now. “We need to have a bit more patience. As a team, we have played only two Test matches with DRS. And I can’t analyse the progress in the span of eight days. We will analyse over a period of 12 months as to how we have used it. But obviously the wicketkeeper and the bowler are the main people who have the best sight of where the ball hit the pad or if they heard the sound of the bat. The close-in fielders as well play a massive role.”
As if now, the Indian captain looks satisfied, but these approval ratings might change in a jiffy with one 50-50 call or a wrong use of technology during the series should it lead to a heartbreaking loss.
