Answering widespread calls to introduce Decision Review System (DRS) in the Indian domestic cricket, BCCI has decided to employ the technology during Ranji Trophy knock-outs from the next season, albeit on a "limited" basis.
The decision to do so was taken by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) following a captains and coaches annual conclave where the umpiring standards were also part of the discussion.
Lots of questionable decisions have been taken in the seasons gone by, even from some of the most experienced officiating domestic umpires. "The CoA was informed that there have been some grievances raised regarding some poor umpiring decisions in domestic matches," CoA decision in the minutes of the meeting posted on BCCI website read.
"It was recommended that introducing a limited Decision Review System (DRS) in some of the digitized/ televised domestic matches would reduce the occurrence of such poor umpiring decisions."
"After some discussion, the CoA accepted the recommendation of introducing limited DRS for domestic matches at the knock out stage."
BCCI General Manager (Cricketing Operations) Saba Karim himself confirmed the development, saying DRS will be brought in for the 2019-20 season.
"The CoA has given go-ahead of the plan to ensure that there are no howlers on the field. We will discuss how we can implement this ‘limited’ DRS after talks with umpires, match referees, official broadcasters and others. The fine points will be finalized over the course of the next few months," Karim told CricketNext on Wednesday (July 17).
The term "limited DRS" is born out of the fact that the 'HotSpot' or ‘Ball Tracker’ technology is unlikely to be available for television umpire's help during these Ranji games.
"By limited DRS we mean that TV umpires can review a dismissal or a decision through TV replays. Based on that if they can overturn a decision, they can recommend that to the on-field umpires."
"Since another technology is not available to the broadcasters for the domestic games, we’ll make the best use of whatever resources that we have at our disposal," Karim, the former India wicketkeeper, signed off.
