For the first time, BCCI has dropped a hint that it is likely to reconsider its position on DRS. As of now it remains rigid about not using the technology in a bilateral series. But subject to a vote of consent from the newly-formed cricket advisory committee, it might accept the Decision Review System “partially”. “It is clarified that the stand taken on the Decision Review System (DRS) by The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains the same as on date. But that does not mean we would not be open to discussions internally on whether the DRS could be used partially or in its modified version during bilateral series,” BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said in a press release on Wednesday. This follows Virat Kohli’s comment on the issue during India’s ongoing tour of Bangladesh. “You’ve to sit and analyse and ask the bowlers what they feel about it. Ask the batters what they feel about it. Now that we’ve time, I’m sure these discussions will take place,” India’s Test captain had said after the rain-marred game ended in a draw at Fatullah. ICC CEO Dave Richardson had earlier said the BCCI didn’t approve DRS because they’ve a “number of concerns” regarding the use of it. “The major one being in their view the principle of a player reviewing an umpire’s decision goes against the spirit of cricket.” Richardson, however, backed the technology saying that they wanted to have the same “same rules for everybody as far as DRS is concerned”. The Indian cricket board doesn’t like DRS, for it believes the methods are not foolproof. “The argument against the use of DRS technology is that the system is not foolproof yet. However, since the issue involves technical aspects, views of the Cricket Advisory Committee could also be obtained by BCCI on the subject,” Dalmiya said. BCCI is likely to call a working committee meeting in mid-July. The advisory committee will meet after that. It would be interesting to see if the panel comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman influences the cricket board to change its stand on DRS. BCCI had shunned the DRS after India’s 2008 tour of Sri Lanka.
