We have plans on how to approach DRS: Rahane
8 Nov 2016 9:57 PM GMT
The Decision Review System will be in focus when India take on England in the upcoming five-Test series and the home team’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. on Monday, said the side has made some plans on how to approach the controversial technology.
“It’s a completely new concept. We have to wait and see about DRS. We have been discussing about this from the last series (against New Zealand) and we have (formulated) some plans. We will spend some (more) time explaining about DRS (to team members), how it works and how we should approach it, but the main focus is to play good, attacking cricket and DRS will come later on,” Rahane said ahead of the series starting on Wednesday here.
The DRS, which had been vehemently opposed by the BCCI in the past citing lack of accuracy, finally got its approval for the upcoming series on a trial basis.
India had refused to play under DRS after getting the rough end of the system in Sri Lanka eight years ago.
“We are looking to play some good cricket. Right now we are focussed on building our strength and playing to our strengths,” said Rahane.
Rahane said the wicketkeeper and himself as a specialist slip fielder will need to give proper inputs to the captain to make optimum use of DRS.
“The wicketkeeper is very important (in the use of DRS) and as a slip fielder you have that role to convey the message to the captain and the bowler. We have to wait and see how it goes in the series. And as a batsman you are completely involved in the game. You have to see where the ball is going and convey it to your partner. You have to be sure (whether to ask for a review or not) all the time,” he said.
For the first time in over three decades, India would be involved in a five-Test rubber against any team and Rahane said the side has learned the importance of remaining fresh and eager till the end when they played against England and lost 1-3 in their previous on-field confrontation.
“In a five-match series it’s important to be fresh till the last Test. We played a five match series in England (in 2014) and got an idea about how to approach. That was a great learning experience as a young unit. It was important to remain fresh till the fifth match. You get an opportunity to come back while playing a five-match series,” he explained.
We have to be careful with DRS referrals in India: Broad
England are quite familiar with the Decision Review System (DRS) but they have to be very cautious while opting for referrals in the upcoming series against India due to different conditions here, Stuart Broad said.
The fast-bowling all-rounder said conditions in England and Bangladesh, where they drew series 1-1 before coming to India, were different from here.
“We had a lot of referrals over there. We have got to be quite clear with the communication, It’s a bit different with the ball spinning in India rather than it seaming and swinging in England, so it is a bit hard to judge,” Broad said.
“It will play a big part in this series. One thing is sure you are in danger of being hit on the path because DRS brings in the opportunity to overturn decisions. So I really enjoyed playing with it. You get right decisions a lot of the time.
But communication within the team is so vital for it. We are looking for the wicketkeeper and the bowler to make quite stronger opinions on it and obviously Cooky (Captain Alastair Cook) will take over and go with the gut feeling. We could have done well in Bangladesh. In Dhaka we wasted a couple,” he remarked.
Broad, who is set to complete the milestone of 100 Tests, said England are going into the five-Test rubber as huge underdogs. “We are coming as massive underdogs, there’s no doubt about that. Obviously, India has got to number 1 in the world and played some brilliant cricket here, so we’re very aware that it’s a huge challenge. But it’s pretty exciting as well, we’re not really sure what to expect,” Broad said.
Talking about his upcoming milestone, Broad said what excited him more was it was to happen in a huge series and against the world’s top-ranked side. “I am aware how special an achievement it is because of the players that have come before me. The amount they have given to English cricket, it’s a special cap to receive. What excites me more is this 100th game being the start of a huge series for us as well. There is no bigger occasion than starting a series in India, against a No.1 team in the world.”
Asked about the team’s mindset after suffering its first ever Test defeat against Bangladesh before crossing over into the country, Broad said their players would like to express themselves well here.
Next Story
