If DRS shows ball is hitting the stumps\, it should be given out: Sachin Tendulkar

If DRS shows ball is hitting the stumps, it should be given out: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is of the opinion that even if the ball is kissing the stumps or just brushing it, the decision should go in favour of the bowler when LBW appeals are referred to the third umpire.

New Delhi
July 11, 2020
UPDATED: July 11, 2020 21:42 IST
Reuters Photo

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Decision Review System was first used in a Test match in 2008
  • DRS was brought into international cricket to get rid of umpiring howlers
  • DRS rules state that the ball must be hitting over 50% of the stumps for the decision to be overturned

Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara on Saturday spoke on the topic of the Decision Review System (DRS) and how the International Cricket Council (ICC) has increased the number of reviews per team in Test cricket for the time being with cricket being played in times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tendulkar agreed with ICC's decision to increase the number of referrals per team to 3 from 2 in Test cricket but differed on the leg-before rule in which at least 50 percent of the ball has to hit the stumps for the third umpire to overturn the on-field umpire's decision.

Tendulkar said that even if the ball is kissing the stumps or just brushing it, the decision should go in favour of the bowlers.

"One thing I don't agree with, with the ICC, is the DRS they've been using for quite some time. It is the LBW decision where more than 50% of the ball must be hitting the stumps for the on-field decision to be overturned. The only reason they (the batsman or the bowler) have gone upstairs is because they are unhappy with the on-field decision, so when the decision goes to the third umpire, let the technology take over; just like in Tennis - it's either in or out, there's nothing in between.

"I know a number of people have said that technology is 100% right, but neither are humans. So once you decide to use technology, you rely on it. Here, too, you have to see the travel path of the ball - the ball is not directly hitting the stumps, there's a guy standing in between - so a number of elements come in to play - the turn, the bounce, the swing, all those things - but eventually you have to follow that travel path and rely on technology," Tendulkar said in a video chat with West Indies legend Brian Lara.

"I know a number of people have said that technology is 100% right, but neither are humans. So once you decide to use technology, you rely on it. Here, too, you have to see the travel path of the ball - the ball is not directly hitting the stumps, there's a guy standing in between - so a number of elements come in to play - the turn, the bounce, the swing, all those things - but eventually you have to follow that travel path and rely on technology,” he further stated.

India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also agreed with Tendulkar as he replied on the post.

"Agree with you Paji 1000 percent correct. If the ball is touching the stump or kissing the Stumps it should be given out.

"It does not matter how much part of the ball hit the wicket..few rules should b changed in the game for betterment of the game..this is certainly 1 of those," Bhajji tweeted.

DRS was brought into the game to get rid of umpiring howlers, which have been witnessed in plenty over the last four days in the ongoing Test match between England and West Indies in Southampton.

Covid-19 guidelines forced the ICC to go implement the rule of local umpires for the time being which is why English umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth were chosen to officiate in the Southampton Test at the Ageas Bowl stadium.

But the duo have made quite a few mistakes already in the match with 5 wrong calls against the Windies in the first three days.

Kettleborough and Illingworth can also not be called inexperienced as they have already officiated in 64 and 47 Test matches, respectively. Even the third umpire has been under pressure in the match and it was evident on Day 4 of the Test for which he got called out by former India opener Aakash Chopra.

Rubbish. Inconclusive evidence. You gotta go with the umpire’s original decision. All protocols go for a toss....this Test hasn’t been a great advertisement for ‘home’ umpires," Chopra tweeted.

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Posted byrohan sen