The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), confirmed on Friday (October 21), that it will implement the Decision Review System (DRS) on a trial basis during the home Test series against England, starting on November 9.
A team from the BCCI, that included Anurag Thakur, met officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Hawkeye, and were said to be satisfied with the improvement shown by the system and various other factors like ball-path tracking predictor and impact point. More cameras will be installed after BCCI’s request to make the system more effective.
“We are happy to note that Hawkeye has institutionalised all the recommendations made by BCCI, and we confirm that this improved version of DRS will be used on a trial basis during the forthcoming series against England and based on the performance of the system and the feedback that we will receive, further continuation in forthcoming series will be decided,” Thakur said. “We recognise the enhanced role of technology in sport and BCCI will lead such initiatives in coming days, and enrich the viewer experience.”
Ajay Shirke, the secretary of the BCCI, too acknowledged that the board was happy with the way the system has been improved. “With MIT endorsing the enhancements made in the system on the basis of recommendations made by the BCCI, we are convinced that such technology should be utilised in supporting correct decision making,” he said. “While recognising that improvements in technology are ongoing, BCCI will continue to include any and all such path breaking interventions, to further the cause of the sport.”
In order to reduce any errors, Hawkeye will implement a technology to save images of each and every delivery bowled. In case the person handling the ball tracking fails to arm the tracking system, the images can be collaborated and played for the umpire to make a decision.
Earlier this month, Virat Kohli, India’s Test captain, backed the use of the system, prompting the board to change its stance. “Once DRS is in place, once DRS is up and running for us as well, then you can sit and think what are the grey areas. As I said, these things have been spoken about. We want to definitely think about it but I can’t make a decision sitting here right now,” he had said.
England are scheduled to play five Tests, starting from November 9, in Rajkot, Visakhapatnam, Mohali, Mumbai and Chennai
, confirmed on Friday (October 21), that it will implement the Decision Review System (DRS) on a trial basis during the home Test series against England, starting on November 9.){kind=link}