DRS - 'Dravid Removal System'

By Dr.V.V.Giri

England paceman Stuart Broad appealed for a catch behind the wicket against Dravid in the first ODI , but umpire Billy Doctrove ruled the appeal not out. After England asked for a review, despite several replays, it could not be conclusively established that the ball edged off of Dravid’s bat. How on the earth Dravid was still given out can only be told by one man? - Third umpire Marais Erasmus. The umpires have become jokers in this series.

Rahul Dravid continues to be at the receiving end of controversial decisions on the current England tour as he was once again ruled out caught behind despite 'Hot Spot' not detecting an edge off his bat.

Earlier, in the third Test, Dravid was ruled caught-behind off James Anderson in India's second innings even though his bat had hit his shoelace, and not the ball.

Then, in the fourth Test, he was again given out caught-behind in India's second innings after a referral by England, even though the snickometer apparently showed that there was no contact between the ball and bat before it landed into England wicket-keeper Matt Prior's gloves.

These incidents are sure to fuel the DRS debate and add strength to BCCI's stand as they have opposed the adoption of DRS expressing doubts on technology.

On a different note, this England tour seems to have everything to do with Dravid. When India need runs, it's Dravid. When India need batsmen for Twenty20 and ODIs, it's Dravid. And when it comes to DRS controversies, it's Dravid who has to be on the receiving end of it.

This is ridiculous. There is literally only one player in the Indian team who challenges England in this current tour and he is also not allowed to carry on with his duty by the three umpires!! England team seemed to have targeted Rahul Dravid with the help of the so called neutral umpires!!!