ICC to introduce umpire decision review system in India

The much-talked about UDRS system will be introduced in India. Not by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to have the technology in place for the 2011 World Cup which will be played in the sub-continent. India will host 29 of the 49 matches of the quadrennial event.

A decision to this effect was originally taken at the ICC board meeting in Singapore last month where the mandarins of the world body decided that the feasibility of having the system at the World Cup should be worked out with broadcasters ESPN-Star Sports. Now, it has been conclusively decided that the system, which has attracted a strong objection from the BCCI, will be in place.

“It will be there 100 per cent,” said an ICC official. “The ICC cricket committee agreed to this and the executive board approved it.

Now, we also have the nod from broadcasters ESPN-Star Sports as well,” he added. The effort, according to the official, is to have the system in all the matches of the World Cup failing which there could be a chance that the referrals will be applied from the quarterfinal stage onwards.

However, World Cup tournament director Ratnakar Shetty said he is not aware of the development. “I’ve read it in the media. I have no information about this,” Shetty, who is also the chief administrative officer of the Indian cricket board, said.

This confirmation about UDRS at the World Cup comes only a day after batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar gave it a thumbs-down.

“I am not fully convinced with the referral system. When I was here (Sri Lanka) last time, I was not convinced with many decisions. I did not feel comfortable,” Tendulkar told reporters after scoring a double century in Colombo on Thursday.

The system is not in place for the ongoing Test series between India and Sri Lanka. However, the England-Pakistan series, also currently under way, is making use of the said technology.

Many an expert has said the system should either be fully implemented or kept in the backburner. The ICC, however, has put the onus on the ‘home’ board to negotiate with the visiting team in case of a bilateral series.