Cricket matches with DRS technology - Pros & Cons
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been ruling out the Decision Review System (DRS) ever since it came into review. There have been quite a few instances when people felt the umpire giving out wrong judgment and the inclusion of DRS could be a means to solve this issue.
DRS is a technology based system solely intended for the purpose of reviewing controversial decisions made by the on-field umpires, mostly on whether or not a batsman has been dismissed. There are some that are completely in favour of the system while the others call it a mere gimmick.
Yes1. Fair decisions: Cricket isn’t just a sport in India. It’s a religion. Unfair and controversial decisions arising out of the inobservant behaviour of some umpires at some point of time can cost a match or an entire series to a team that plays with all its might. When you are safe but sent out, it does discourage players and cause anger and anxiety in viewers. Including DRS will make cricket fairer. What more could we ask for?
2. Lessen unnecessary aggression: A bowler or a batsman who is unsatisfied with the decision of the umpire is usually seen to be aggressive and losing all his calm in the game. There rises sheer enmity and hatred between teams. This could instantly be done away with if DRS is given a prominent place and either of the bowler and batsman can ask for a review when he isn’t satisfied.
3. Making use of technology: When you have a better way of reviewing decisions and it can be used to lessen or perhaps remove the chances of erroneous decisions, there is no reason why we shouldn’t use it to the advantage of players. If it can be determined that the technology is capable of accurate judgement, we definitely should be using it.
4. An extra help: Going upstairs for each time there could be a no ball is sort of impractical and hence an extra added help from the technology that could clarify after each ball can be beneficiary for the on-field umpire. Each time there is a no ball when there is an appeal for out, the umpire is left alone to decide which gets difficult at times.
No1. Disrespecting on-field umpire: The whole purpose of having an on-field umpire will soon be lost if DRS is given a prominent place in cricket. None of the players will have any respect for the decision of the umpire which is meant to hold the highest order in this game. More importantly, the on-field umpire will feel humiliated when his decision is challenged again and again.
2. Not reliable: Time and again, it has been found that the DRS technology is not completely reliable just like any other technology and has glitches of various types. Silicon tapes and trajectory of ball have been on the go earlier. Players have called it inaccurate and even viewers have found that some of the times, the decisions were tampered.
3. Errors are a part of the package: There is room for minor glitches that escape the human eyes and cricket has never been free of it. There is only a small chance that the on-field umpire will be delivering an erroneous review and that is being said to be solved by the DRS. However, the error rate comparison between the two has always been more in favour of on-field umpires and not the technology that has room for more errors.
4. Expensive: The usage of this technology is expensive. It has earlier been pointed out that the usage of DRS in a single test cricket will cost $60,000 per match and since all boards do not make money out of test crickets and ODIs, it will be difficult to afford it for all the matches. More importantly, it will be a sheer wastage of money.
5. Limited reviews: It should be noted that the DRS system will have to be kept in limits or we will have the players continually calling for reviews that will cost extra time. Giving a limited 2 reviews all affect the players since they are used initially in the game and later coming batsmen have to live with the insecurity of not having the advantage.
The DRS, though used in other countries, is going to witness more controversy in India as BCCI considers and reconsiders the accuracy with this system. This technology is meant to erase any room for error but if the technology itself is not 100% accurate, there will be further delay.
