The DRS in cricket has greatly reduced the imperfections and errors in decision making on the Field and has in a way minimised a lot of burden on the umpires. However, what has always intrigued me is the fact that the DRS technology in this digital age still remains indecisive at times, leading to the ‘ Umpire’s Call ‘. This is a grey area in DRS and it boils down eventually to which side of the grey area the players are. It’s a matter of luck. On the wrong side of the grey area you are doomed and on the right side you survive. My view is that with technology nothing should be left to chance. There can be no grey areas.
BCCI recently announced the list of centrally contracted players and Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer who have been regulars with the Indian Team off late were conspicuous by their absence. Non compliance to strictures from the Team Management was probably the reason for their exclusion from the list. Unfortunately Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer found themselves on the wrong side of BCCI’s ( Umpire’s ) Call. Their inability to play Ranji Trophy despite instructions has led to this unprecedented action from BCCI.
In my view, the BCCI’s call is that grey area which I was referring to. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer have earned their place in the Indian Team and also performed well on several occasions. Though there has been a slump in form, their skill and ability to play at the highest level cannot be questioned. The problem appears more between the ears than anywhere else. Instead of pushing them to play Ranji Trophy ( which still may not be a bad option going forward ), a stint at the NCA to iron out glitches in their batting or proper counselling might have helped.
There are several top players who hardly play in Domestic Competitions. Hardik Pandya for instance has been out of the game for a long time, but has hardly played domestic cricket to give any indication of his fitness. He may just be on right side of the grey area , the BCCI’s Call. If he has been training for the IPL, then why not Ishan Kishan. He too is an important player for Mumbai Indians. What will be BCCI’s view if Ishan Kishan scores a ton of runs in the IPL and pushes his claim for selection in the team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Will BCCI not select him still ?. That’s a grey area.
Shreyas Iyer on the other hand did make himself available for the Ranji Semi Finals. His innings unfortunately folded quickly, which ( I hope not ), would have dented his confidence further and losing the Central Contract would have furthered the pain. Is this approach from BCCI correct, is a matter of argument, however the player deserves better. Whether playing Domestic Cricket is a pre-requisite for Central Contracts is also not clear and BCCI should come out with clear guidelines on the same. There should not be grey areas in this matter too.
There also has been objections raised by many regarding Ishan Kishan’s focus on the IPL and the amount of money both Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer are making by playing the most sought after league in the world. But it is not just Ishan Kishan and Shreyas, every player who is injured or otherwise, is trying hammer and tongs to get fit and make himself available to participate in the marquee event. The huge amounts paid to the players are not asked by them as such, they are received in auctions and it is not the player’s fault if he is sold for a huge amount. So the objections raised are totally baseless and unjustified.
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer unfortunately have been punished. However in my view, they deserved a bit more hand holding and a bit of a nudge. They are our players and we should respect their abilities, which they have in plenty.
No ‘Umpires’s Call ‘ here, please .
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