LONDON: India’s opposition to the Decision Review System continues with the BCCI refusing to allow its usage in next month’s four-Test cricket series against England.
According to a newspaper, “The Board for Cricket Control in India sent official notification to the England and Wales Cricket Board that it does not want the system to be used in the series (in July).”
Consent of both the Boards is required for the system to be used in a series.
Top Indian players such as Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been vocal critics of the DRS but English players like spin spearhead Graeme Swann have backed the use of technology.
“The reason India do not want it is because it will favour our bowlers,” said John Emburey, the former England off-spinner.
“It (DRS) has been massive for spinners because they are now getting wickets against batsmen playing on the front foot coming forward. It’s a massive advantage to the spinner. The system has shown balls would go on to hit the stumps and umpires have now got it in their minds that they can now give batsmen out,” he explained.
Emburey said the DRS has forced batsmen to offer genuine shots against spinners.
“What DRS has done is make batsmen play with their bat rather than hide behind the pad which gives bowlers more chances of edges and catches because they have to play at the ball,” he said. (PTI)