BCCI GM Cricket Operations Saba Karim said the overall feedback on limited-DRS, used for the first time in the Ranji Trophy semi-finals and final this season, from players and coaches have been quite "heartening" but it wouldn't be possible to have the technology available for the entire duration of the tournament. 

The limited form of DRS didn't have the ball-tracking and hawkeye facilities but at least teams were able to contest the howlers during marquee contests. 

Read Also: Pujara, Unadkat bat for full DRS next Ranji season; BCCI open to the idea 

"I am very happy to see the results of the limited DRS," Karim, the former India wicketkeeper batsman, told IANS. "I interacted with the players, the coaches and the match officials. The idea was to prepare them as and when the matches are played with full DRS, they are able to understand that and use it accordingly."

"We were able to eliminate lot of howlers which we had noticed in the last season of the Ranji Trophy knockouts."

"Largely, the players and the match officials were very happy," he added. "Since it was a limited DRS, it was explained to the players and the match officials how to use, the number and the kind of decisions to be referred to the third umpire."

"There were obviously a few misgivings about the decisions. But the overall feedback we received from the players and the coaches was heartening."

Karim, however, confirmed as of now there isn't any decision taken to continue or possibly expand the number of games where DRS could be used. "There is a constant exchange with the players and the match officials as to how to take it forward. And now as the season is over, we will have a brain storming session before the next season starts and see how to take it forward," he said.

"You possibly cannot have it in the entire tournament because all the matches are not televised. It's only the semi-finals and the finals which are televised. That's one issue and it's for that reason in order to bring uniformity, we cannot have DRS in the entire tournament."

Karim, having played one Test and 34 ODIs for the country, also gave his views on the potential trimming of the five-day version of Test match cricket to four days at the behest of ICC for the next FTP cycle from 2023 to 2031. 

"For me, I believe in five-day Test matches. It's not only about the players but also about the curators who prepare the pitch which is sporting enough and help all the aspects of the game till the fifth day."

"The entire gambit of a Test match cricketing experience is of five days. Plus, weather plays a big role. You cannot have matches being played for more than 6-7 hours in a day. So, I think, I would prefer to stick with five-day format," added the 52-year-old. 

(Inputs from IANS)