New Delhi: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday criticised the much-debated umpire’s call in the Decision Review System (DRS), saying that it has been a huge confusion contributing factor in the game and LBW dismissals should be based simply on whether the ball is hitting the stumps, even if marginally.
The MCC World Cricket Committee on February 22 met to discuss umpire’s call. Some members felt it would be simpler if the original decision was disregarded on review, and that there was a simple Out or Not out, with no Umpire’s Call.
Other members were satisfied with the current system, feeling that it was important to retain the human element of the on-field umpire’s decision, which takes into account the ‘benefit of the doubt’ that has existed in umpires’ decisions for many years.
According to the existing rule, at least 50 per cent of the ball should be hitting at least one of the three stumps for the batsman to be adjudged LBW on review in case an umpire’s call has been challenged.
“I’ve played for a long time when there was no DRS. When the umpire gave it out, whether the batsman liked it or not, it stayed out. And if the umpire gave it not out, and it was out, it stayed like that. Whether it was marginal or not,’ said Kohli on the eve of the first ODI against England.
“According to me, umpire’s call is creating a lot more confusion. When you get bowled as a batsman, you don’t consider that the ball was hitting more than 50 per cent for you to be bowled. So when the ball is shown clipping the stumps, the bails are going to fall. From a basic cricket common sense, I don’t think there should be any debate.
