India out of Touch and Shape on DRS

The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) was first trialled in the Sri Lanka/India test match series of 2008. Outraged by a number of decisions going against their hero, Rahul Dravid, the Indians have subsequently sought to prevent the use of the system by claiming that it is unreliable. They  believe that the system threatens to create a disadvantage for their 'galactico batsmen'. Since the introduction of the system, it has been statistically proven that umpiring decisions have increased in accuracy. Spin bowlers have been  major beneficiaries of the availability of the technology. The system has shown that many more deliveries would have struck the wickets than had previously been supposed. Umpires have demonstrably been influenced to the extent that the number of successful LBW appeals has dramatically increased. Indian batsmen traditionally counted on the reluctance of umpires to give such decisions and almost routinely defended with their bat behind their pad with insouciance. Suddenly this tactic was no longer working. Batsman were being forced to play at more deliveries with the attendant risks of edges and errors. Is it coincidence that India has sought to block the use of the system in their test matches. UDRS can only be used, at present, with the consent of both teams and accordingly test series involving India are currently UDRS free. The International Cricket Council might be expected to challenge this position in the near future, but the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is a powerful and implacable opponent on this issue. Watch this space, but don't hold your breath.

UDRS works at present at the instigation of the players. Each team is permitted to challenge umpiring decisions incorrectly on 2 occasions per innings. Within a 'short period' of the umpire's original decision the captain of the 'aggrieved side', or the batsman, must indicate a challenge to the decision. This short delay is intended to prevent the potential challenger from having the benefit of a signal from the dressing room from somebody who has had the opportunity to view a replay. Challenges are referred to a 3rd Umpire who has access to a number of technological aids. These include 'Hawkeye' or variants of it, 'Hotspot' and sound microphones situated within or adjacent to the stumps. Hawkeye predicts the path of the delivery (for LBWs) and can detect edges and show deviations. Hotspot is a thermal imaging device which isolates the point of contact. None are perfect. The 'snickometer' device cannot be used because it requires some 7 minutes to achieve an accurate result (an unacceptable delay to the flow of the game). This can of itself cause controversy when its results subsequently become known, are broadcast to the crowd and occasionally undermine the 'reviewed decision'. The original decision can only be changed when the 3rd umpire has a 'high degree of confidence' that the original decision is incorrect.

Aussie legend Ian Chappell has recently called for a change to UDRS. He wants to remove the right to challenge from the players and return authority to the umpires. The umpires would seek a review whenever they were in any doubt as to the correct decision. This is the system which is currently used for run outs. Umpires now routinely refer all but the most clear cut decisions. This can be somewhat tedious, but is almost fail safe. The beauty of the 'Chappell Proposal' is that umpires would regain their moral authority on the field of play. The unedifying sight of players effectively openly challenging the umpire's decision would be removed. Equally the tactical use of challenges to exert pressure on the umpire or an opponent would disappear. Perhaps strangely a Chappell might be enhancing the 'spirit of the game' with his comments. Not something which has routinely happened in cricketing history.
It is certainly noticeable so far in the latest India v England series which began 2 days ago that the temperature with regard to umpiring decisions has very much dropped as a result of the lack of DRS and thus scrutiny of umpiring decisions, but also due to the ban by the BCCI on broadcasters showing the technology.
 Some food for thought.
UPDATE 17.12.12
As England bat out the last day of the series and remain in command and set for a 2 - 1 series victory, it has become embarrassingly obvious that the BCCI position is untenable. Indian cricket really needs to get a grip. Whilst it has been a riveting series, it has also been riddled with glaring umpiring mistakes the majority of which DRS would have  corrected. Umpires have also reverted to being more cautious about giving batsmen out LBW. The post DRS world is a much better place. Indian cricket seems to be stuck in another time and place. The team's fielding, lack of athleticism and dynamism due to a lack of fitness added to the impression of a nation grown too comfortable with its financial dominance of the game due to, inter alia, IPL. That tournament stands in counter point to this tired Indian cricket team. Meanwhile England took the rough with the smooth and dusted themselves down after the first test and were utterly professional and for 3 tests, a complete team. They also took several steps towards the future with the blooding of Compton and Root, both successful debutants on this tour.