In a departure from the stand taken by his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has said that he is open to discussions on the implementation of the controversial Decision Review System with his teammates.
While Dhoni has always maintained that DRS is not foolproof and it still requires significant upgradation, Kohli feels that 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 with very less time on hand. So now that we have time, I am sure these discussions will take place,” Kohli has said.
Kohli’s stance is not quite consistent with the BCCI’s adamant refusal to accept DRS when N Srinivasan was its President even though some Test-playing nations such as Australia, England and New Zealand have already started using it. The ICC has maintained that it wants a consistent usage of the system but would 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.”
still a beginner: Mohit
New Delhi: Speedster Mohit Sharma, who calls himself a “beginner in international cricket” attributes his recent success in international cricket to the opportunities that was given to him by his IPl and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Mohit has played 20 ODIs and four T20s since making his international debut in August 2013. It would be fair to say that he is a regular in the limited overs squad, if not in the playing XI. However, the soft spoken cricketer from Faridabad sees his position in the side differently.
“Actually I still see myself as beginner. The only big difference (since debut) has been that I spend double time on my bowling and fitness. When you finally get to play for India, then you realise how tough it is keep doing well and maintain your place in the team,” Mohit said before leaving for Bangladesh for the three-match ODI series.
Next month, he is set to travel to Zimbabwe, a place where he donned the India jersey for the first time in 2013 following a successful IPl with Chennai Super Kings.
Mohit may not be in the ‘express league’ like Umesh Yadav or Varn Aaron, but has made good use of his strength, which is consistently bowling an accurate line and length. Ask him about his evolution as a bowler in the last two years, the 26-year-old has plenty to say.
“I think am a lot wiser now. I am able to assess the situation much faster than earlier times. I have experienced major changes in my body as well, the fitness has increased and because of that I have gained speed as well. Overall, I feel much more knowledgeable about the game.”