Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Kohli open to discussion on controversial Decision Review System

Last updated on: June 15, 2015 18:14 IST

India Test captain Virat Kohli. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

In a departure from the stand taken by his predecessor, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India Test captain Virat Kohli said he is open to discussion on the implementation of the controversial Decision Review System with his teammates. 

While Dhoni always maintained that the DRS is not foolproof and still requires to be upgraded, Kohli feels the contentious system can at least be discussed.

"You have to sit and analyse and ask the bowlers what they feel about it. Ask the batters what they feel about that. 

"We literally just came into this Test match (one-off against Bangladesh) with very less time on hand. So now that we have time I am sure these discussions will take place," Kohli said.

Indian supporters in the crowd hold up a sign about the DRS. Photograph: Getty Images

Kohli's stance is not quite consistent with the Board of Control for Cricket in India's adamant refusal to accept the DRS when Narayanaswami Srinivasan was its president even though some Test-playing nations, like Australia, England and New Zealand, are using it.

The ICC has maintained that it wants a consistent usage of the system but will not force any member Board to adopt it. 

"We have always said that we would like to have the same rules for everybody as far as DRS is concerned and implement it on a uniform, consistent basis," ICC CEO Dave Richardson had said earlier. 

"The fact is though one of our members doesn't want DRS, they have a number of concerns regarding DRS. The major one being in their view the principle of a player reviewing an umpire's decision goes against the grain of what the spirit of cricket is all about."

AGENCIES