New Delhi: The Decision Review System (DRS) which is making its debut in India had faired quite nicely for the home side in the first Test at Rajkot. But things turned rapidly in the second Test match at Vizag.
This time it was bit too much for Indian skipper Virat Kohli to handle as he vented out his frustration after Alastair Cook was saved by DRS for the second time in. Chasing a target of 405, England openers Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed started off nicely before Indian spinners started to trouble them. In the 47th over Ashwin got one to straighten of the pitch to find Cook’s pads, only to be turned down by umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Ashwin was quick to convince Virat Kohli to opt for the review and amazingly Cook survived as the impact showed ‘umpire’s call’, while it looked out on the naked eye. Understandably, Kohli was not amused as he had no reviews left.
This was the second time in successive overs, when DRS had ditched India. In the previous over Jadeja had trapped Cook on the back-foot and India went for the review after the umpire had turned their appeal. Though, the ball appeared to have clipped the significantly, the ball-tracking showed ruled it in Cook’s favour as he was given not out by the on field umpire.
India’s usage of the DRS in the second Test match has been scratchy to say the least. Saha had opted for the review in the first innings, only to be declared out and when Jadeja was wrongly adjudged leg before, he decided not to go for the review.
However, India are still the favorites to win the match after Ashwin and Jadeja struck in the wee hours of Day 4 to leave England struggling at 87/2 at stumps.