Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

'What's India's problem with DRS?'

Last updated on: June 14, 2011 18:04 IST
MS Dhoni asking for a Decision Review during the World Cup

England pacer Chris Tremlett is bewildered by India's staunch opposition to the Decision Review System as he feels the innovation is "very accurate and fair" and should have been used in next month's Test series between the two sides.

The BCCI has refused to accept the use of DRS, which allows teams to make two incorrect challenges to an on-field umpire's decision, in next month's Test series and Tremlett can't understand why as the ICC recommends its usage in all big matches.

"I am a fan of the system. If the technology is there it should be used," Tremlett said.

"Who knows why they (India) don't want it involved? There have been a few decisions that have been rightly overturned and as a bowler you want those decisions given out. It's a fair way of doing things. I'm fully in agreement with it.

"It's something that we like to use and it should be used in every Test if the technology is there and it's a shame that they don't want DRS involved in the India series," he added.

'It is very accurate'

Last updated on: June 14, 2011 18:04 IST
Chris Tremlett

Tremlett said the BCCI and some senior Indian players' argument that the system is not accurate enough does not hold much ground as technology has helped cut down umpiring errors.

"It is very accurate. Sometimes there is a lot of noise around a Test match and an umpire might not hear a fine nick so it's an important thing to have.

"It has been a successful thing over the last six months," he said.

Speaking about the series next month, Tremlett said England are confident about upstaging the world number one India.

"There's no reason why we can't win that series against India. This side is going from strength to strength and we're on a good winning streak at the moment.

"I'm fully confident that we can beat any side. We had success against Australia but the next step is to beat the number one side in the world. If we can beat them convincingly then we will deserve to be number one," he added.

Mistrust of technology

Last updated on: June 14, 2011 18:04 IST

Tremlett is not the only English cricketer baffled by India's opposition to DRS as after fellow pacer James Anderson even spinner Graeme Swann has also expressed surprise at the BCCI's rejection of the system.

"I don't know whether it is mistrust of technology or kidology on their (India's) behalf," Swann was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

"It reduces all bowlers' effectiveness but we might get a couple given that would have been overturned and it would be quite amusing if that happens. I know I'm definitely getting more lbws," explained.

Swann said bowlers, who have been denied wickets due to the on-field umpires' doubts about LBWs, can now hope to snare more by turning to technology.

"What has happened is that umpires are now far less reluctant to give lbws not out on the front foot, particularly the left-hander kicking away straight balls from the off-spinner.

"They used to be able to get away with that all day but since DRS umpires are going off the field and studying videos and seeing mistakes made, and are now more willing to give those out," he pointed out.

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.