Among the major talking points prior to the series was the debut of the Decision Review System (DRS) in Tests in India. While England had been accustomed to the involvement of technology in umpiring decisions, the hosts were reacquainting themselves to the referral system after quite some time in the game’s traditional format.
After getting used to the intricacies within the review system, Virat Kohli’s team seemed to have got the hang of it as the series progressed. India went to clinch the series by a comprehensive 4-0 margin but there were quite a few moments when they had to rely on the availability of technology.
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Let us take a look at five such moments when DRS played a key role in averting possible crisis scenarios for India.
#5 Jadeja‘s gut feeling traps Root
As England got themselves off to a solid start with skipper Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings appearing inseparable, Ravindra Jadeja sent them back in quick succession to lift India’s hopes of forcing a result on a fairly placid track. In walked Joe Root, the visitors’ leading run-scorer in the series.
The Yorkshireman had looked slightly fidgety against Jadeja’s stifling line and attempted an ill-fated sweep shot to a full delivery. Though it did not seem that convincing in real time, the left-arm spinner influenced Kohli’s thought-process with his vigorous appeal. Upon review, the straighter one was found to have ticked all three boxes and England’s fortunes took a major hit.
#4 Pujara brings Rajkot back to life
This was Rajkot’s maiden Test match and their very own Cheteshwar Pujara needed just 14 more runs to reach three figures. However, a slider from Zafar Ansari rapped onto his pads when he pressed forward to defend. Much to the dismay of the local crowd, umpire Chris Gaffaney raised the dreaded finger.
Understandably, Pujara did not wait for too long before sending the decision upstairs. His decision was vindicated as ball-tracking showed that it had gone over the stumps. As soon as the giant screen screamed ‘Not Out’, the crowd in the stadium cheered and the right-hander’s family members breathed a sigh of relief. He did go on to complete a much needed century for the Indians.
#3 Parthiv survives a Dharmasena gaffe
Coming out to bat in a Test match after eight long years, Parthiv Patel was batting on 12 when a steep delivery from Chris Woakes cramped him on the leg-side. Needless to say, the England players launched a massive appeal.
The left-hander called for the use of technology immediately after Marais Erasmus adjudged him out. What followed was both hilarious and frightening at the same time.
Upon finding that the ball brushed Patel’s shirt, the much maligned Kumar Dharmasena accidentally asked Erasmus to stay with his on-field call despite revealing the evidence. Fortunately for the batsman, common sense prevailed and the correct decision was made.
#2 Stokes finds himself caught in ambiguity
The action had shifted to Mumbai with England finding themselves under immense pressure. Cook called correctly and debutant Keaton Jennings showed the way with a clinical century. But, Ravichandran Ashwin‘s masterful spell fetched a flurry of wickets to bring India back into the contest.
At the start of the second day, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler were seeking to stabilize the innings. Before even the third over of the day could be completed, Ashwin got one to turn sharply from round the wicket. When it was given not out on the field, the Indians had no hesitation in calling on the third umpire. Even though the bat hit the ground at the exact moment in which the ball took the outside edge, there was enough evidence to overturn the decision and Stokes trudged off in disgust.
#1 – Kohli-Jayant master stroke sends Moeen back
In the second Test at Vizag, India won their only toss in the series and promptly amassed a strong first-innings total. During their reply, England were pegged back with the top four departing even before the team score could reach three figures. Moeen Ali, who had registered a century in the opening Test, strode out to the middle.
The southpaw danced down the track to a straighter delivery from Jayant Yadav and was trapped on the move. Conventional logic might not have suggested an enquiry but the debutant convinced skipper Kohli to call for a review. Surprisingly, ball-tracking revealed that it would have indeed gone on to hit the stumps and thus the off-spinner procured his maiden Test scalp.
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