Rajkot: The Indian cricket team is not losing sleep over the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the five-Test series against England commencing here tomorrow with captain Virat Kohli saying the referral process was not a rocket science.
“Well there is no rocket science on DRS. As a cricketer you understand, you have a fair idea of where the ball has hit the pad, whether it has pitched in line or hit in line. Those are pretty basic things in cricket. You don’t have to necessarily go through a course for DRS,” said the home team captain on the eve of the series opener at the SCA stadium here.
“I think we have observed enough watching on TV how DRS is used. It really depends on what the bowler and a wicketkeeper, most importantly, think about the particular event or if a referral has to be made. It is pretty simple.
It’s nothing that we are focusing too much on. It just gives you another opportunity to check on a decision if you feel is not right. And I think that’s pretty fair,” Kohli added.
After consistently opposing the referral system which all other countries have adopted in bilateral contests, the BCCI recently relented and has decided to use it on an experimental basis.
Kohli did not read too much into the statements of England captain Alastair Cook and key fast bowling all-rounder Stuart Broad, both of whom stated that they were the underdogs in the series.
“I think some team might want to play it low at the start of the series and then surprise the opponent, but we are quite aware of those things. We have experienced those sorts of tactics in the past,” said Kohli, who has hit two double tons this year.
“But at the same time we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves. We understand what we need to do, so we are not going to get swayed away or carried away by the praise or adulation; at the same time, criticism as well. If it’s a constructive criticism from the team management or from the people we observe the game very well, it’s always welcome. But we never get carried away by praise.
“That’s why we have been able to perform consistently and that’s our only goal, to keep improving as a side and keep winning games of cricket. Nothing changes for us,” the 28-year-old aggressive batsman elaborated.
The 48-Test-old seasoned pro emphasised that the team now believes in winning rubbers and not just be competitive.
PTI
