5 instances that prove India is right in rejecting DRS

A fast reverse-swinging delivery has come the batsmans way. He edges it and the wicketkeeper catches it. The bowler and the fielder appeal in unison. But the nick was very faint; the umpire doesnt spot it and gives not out. In the days when walking has become pass, the batsman stands his ground and goes on to score a century. The fielding team is left to rue that moment of the match when the umpire decided not to give out. This is where the UDRS (Umpire Decision Review System) comes in play.It is the latest technological development in the sport of cricket. As the name suggests, it was introduced to review controversial decisions taken by on-field umpired for the dismissal of the batsman. Nothing heats up the DRS debate like an India series. In the first Test in England, on the third day Matt Prior was adjudged out by Kumar Dharamsena off Bhuvneshwar Kumars bowling even when he hadnt nicked it. But for the lack of DRS, Prior wasnt able to review it and had to leave the field.Karma striked back when on the 4th day of the second Test, Ajinkya Rahane was given out in a similar fashion by Bruce Oxenford. India is the only Test playing nation which refuses to use the technology. Ironically, the system was first tested in aSri Lanka vs India seriesin 2008. Reportedly, India managed to get only 1 out of their 20 referrals right in that series. But in the Champions Trophy in 2013, India was the only country that got all their reviews right.But this still doesnt make India go in favour of the DRS because despite all the progress being made, the system is not yet foolproof. Here is a look at somecontroversial decisions due to DRS in Test cricket.

#5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul

When West Indies visited Australia in 2009-2010, among other things, it became a cause for the retirement of umpire Mark Benson. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was twice adjudged not outby Benson to caught-behind appeals by the Australian players. Australia reviewed it both the times. The decision stayed the first time but was overruled the second time despite conclusive proof.

It happened because TV umpire Asad Rauf was sure and had seen a clear edge. This happened despite ICCs guidelines that a TV umpire should not give answers conveying likelihoods or probabilities.

According to ICC, in case of inconclusive proof, the onfield umpires judgment stays and Chanderpaul should have been not out. Undoubtedly, this made Benson unhappy and he missed out on the next Test and later retired.

#4 Graeme Smith

In a match between South Africa andEngland, Graeme Smith was given not out by umpire Tony Hill when he nicked a ball off Ryan Sidebottom. Smiths counterpart, Andrew Strauss immediately asked for a review. TV umpire Daryl Harper failed to hear the noise from the stump microphone and since there was no deflection on the TV replays he simply upheld Hills decision and Smith survived.

#3 Rahul Dravid

India were in tatters when they visited England in 2011 and it didnt help that their best batsman was given out by DRS three times. So much so that DRS became known as Dravid Removal System during that time.

In the second innings of the 4th Test at the Oval, Rahul Dravid was given not out by umpire Rod Tucker off Swanns bowling. The Englishteam reviewed it immediately and TV umpire Steve Davis upheld Englands review in spite of not having any conclusive proof. India went on to lose the match by 8 runs and an innings.

#2 Jonathan Trott

On the second day of the first Ashes Test in England in 2013, England collapsed to 11-2. Both Joe Root and Jonathan Trott got out for a duck. Joe Root was given out by umpire Aleem Dar even though he wasnt sure if he hadnicked the ball that was caught by wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

On the following delivery, Jonathan Trott was given not out for a LBW appeal. The Australian team decided to review it. Marais Erasmus overturned the decision even though the Hot Spot image of the dismissal was not available. This was due to the fact that the Hot Spot which was already replaying Roots dismissal for the audience was not able to play and replay at the same time. Marais Erasmus overturned the original decision without any conclusive proof. While later it became known that Trott had faintly edged it.

#1 Usman Khawaja

In the same series in the third Test at Old Trafford, Usman Khwaja was given out for being caught behind off Graeme Swann. Khawaja reviewed the decision. Even though, there was nothing on Hot Spot or Snickometer, the TV umpire Kumar Dharamsena deemed it out. With as many as 9 blunders being made in the first three Tests alone, this Ashes series was a landmark case for anybody opposing UDRS.