Cricket: Techno-phobic India tolerate human error

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) and test captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continue to oppose the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) despite the fact it could have helped them in the opening test against the Black Caps in Ahmedabad.

Kane Williamson's test career would have started in a less glowing fashion if India could have appealed his caught behind off Zaheer Khan on 56. Williamson pushed at the ball and appeared to snick it.

Debutant test umpire Kumar Dharmasena remained unmoved. Williamson's score also remained unmoved for the next seven overs as he recovered from the shock of such luck. He went on to make 131.

Then VVS Laxman was fired by umpire Steve Davis in the Indian second innings, despite nudging a Daniel Vettori arm ball onto his pad in defence.

Laxman may have saved the game for India with Harbhajan Singh, but it didn't stop him looking up in disbelief, nine runs short of a 17th test century. Khan was dismissed LBW the next delivery with the ball again hitting bat before pad.

Those are three examples where India could have benefited. Williamson's let-off probably changed the result, given New Zealand was 263 for four at the time. Williamson's 75 further runs gave New Zealand parity on the scoreboard and allowed the bowlers crucial extra time off their feet.

The BCCI opposes the referral system - which particularly helps LBW and catching decisions - because they do not believe the technology is accurate enough.

At present host boards decide whether the system is used. It involves considerable expense to put in place the necessary high-speed cameras for the replays, but that cost can be offset by sponsorship. Concerns have also been raised that two challenges create too much downtime. In reality, it is probably a couple of minutes at most - which can heighten rather than detract from the tension.

Captain Dhoni maintains umpires should earn their money more by working harder to get decisions right. However, some cynics have suggested cricketers would not want the same principle applied to them when they fail.

Dhoni's view can be seen as simplistic when slow-motion TV replays provide a more accurate basis for a decision than the naked eye in real time. Using the UDRS generally results in less debate and, with only two challenges, teams are encouraged to use it sparingly.

Dhoni has the support of Sachin Tendulkar but Rahul Dravid is a UDRS fan, provided the technology is foolproof and there is a common system throughout the world. Virender Sehwag backs the system because it offers him extra time at the crease without getting sawn off by a shocker.

The BCCI and the team as a whole have opposed the UDRS since the failed experiment during their 2008 tour of Sri Lanka. The Indians struggled with referrals, getting only one right, while Sri Lanka successfully challenged 11 times.