India Snubs the DRS, Yet Again!

So, India continue to obstinately resist the Decision Review System (DRS) for the tour to England too. No surprises there. What is surprising, however, is the amount of backlash over the blogosphere against this seemingly consistent behavior from the BCCI.

No one batted an eyelash when this same announcement was made for the currently ongoing WI tour. But, it somehow took on a bigger, sinister proportion when it came to the English summer.

Did everyone expect the BCCI to completely reverse their stance with absolutely no changes in the system itself?

With all this heated debate, we are in danger of forgetting to enjoy the game and ending up bemoaning the lack of DRS after every marginal call. We have two very good test sides about to compete in what promises to be a cracker of a series.

It’ll be a mouthwatering contest between an exceptionally all-around English attack and arguably the best batting lineup in the world. Tremlett’s bounce against Sehwag’s brutality. The supremely in form Cook and Trott facing up to a vastly improved Zaheer. Dhoni’s tact pitted against Strauss’s resilience. And the marquee clash of Swann’s guile and Sachin’s mastery. But unfortunately, the entire focus is on a relatively new and admittedly imperfect cricketing concept

It is likely that we’re nearing a time when the DRS will be made mandatory for all international cricket. And for the all the evil that the BCCI has grown to represent, to its credit, it might end up doing some good by postponing the inevitable. Its mysterious aversion to the DRS is making everyone review the system and understand its limitations.

What would have been blindly accepted as the truth is now under the scanner. This can only result in a more standardized and consistent system. As it stands, the DRS has too many lacunae to be considered a final evolved product. And the BCCI is either brilliantly or inadvertently forcing the ICC to fine-tune the system.

Is using the system in Test cricket the best way to judge and refine it? Maybe.

But this is already happening across series not involving India. It is undoubtedly selfish on India’s part not to be a guinea pig for this process. But it was offered a choice by the ICC and no democratic society should deride a rightful choice, even if made in self-interest. 

For now, we’re stuck with the thrill of watching a beaten batsman dreading the umpire’s call, knowing he has no net to fall back on.