Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s decision to implement the Decision Review System (DRS) in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. He believes that the technology will play a crucial role in helping upcoming batsmen refine their techniques and avoid potential pitfalls as they transition into international cricket.
Ashwin’s argument stems from a recent incident in the Anantapur leg of the Duleep Trophy, where India D batsman Ricky Bhui was given out lbw against India C left-arm spinner Manav Suthar. Bhui, who was batting fluently on 44, stretched forward to defend a delivery and was struck on the pads. The on-field umpire initially ruled him not out, but the bowler successfully appealed for a review, which ultimately led to Bhui’s dismissal.
In a post on his official X handle, Ashwin highlighted the significance of DRS for developing batsmen. He pointed out that Bhui’s dismissal was a classic example of a technique that might go unnoticed in first-class cricket without DRS. “This was not a faulty technique pre-DRS but now it is. Back in the day batters were given not out just because they managed to get on the front foot,” Ashwin wrote.
He further emphasized that the introduction of DRS forces batsmen to adapt their playing style early in their careers, as the ability to review decisions has significantly impacted lbw decisions. “Now, keeping your bat behind the pad can be fatal, imagine someone making the climb to international cricket without getting this experience Ricky got yesterday. “He could very well take an entire Test series to understand what he needs to work on and his career could well be over,” Ashwin added.
While DRS was initially introduced in domestic cricket during the 2019-20 season, its implementation has been gradual. It was initially limited to major domestic matches like Ranji Trophy semifinals and finals. The system initially lacked the UltraEdge feature, which was later added during the 2022-23 season, but only for the final. However, the full version of DRS, including UltraEdge, is now available for the ongoing Duleep Trophy matches.
Ashwin’s stance underscores the importance of DRS in shaping the future of young Indian batsmen, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed at the international level. By providing valuable feedback and exposing technical flaws, DRS can help to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket, ultimately contributing to the development of a more proficient and adaptable generation of Indian batsmen.
