Lorgat hopes to encourage Team India to use controversial ‘UDRS’

LONDON - International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has reiterated that he would encourage the Indian team to show a little more willingness to try the controversial Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS).

Indian scepticism, especially from batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and captain M.S. Dhoni, has been a significant roadblock to the system’s universal employment.

“It is just an issue of them experiencing its use more often,” the New Zealand Herald quoted Lorgat, as saying.

“Similarly there was a fair amount of scepticism among a lot of countries two years ago, but the more they have used it the more they have liked it,” he added.

The UDRS may have its share of supporters in Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralidaran and former ICC umpire Rudi Koertzen, but Tendulkar has always given a thumbs down to the system.

“I am not fully convinced with the referral system. When I was here (Colombo) last time I was not convinced with many decisions. I did not feel comfortable, it was an experiment which I felt,” Tendulkar had said after scoring a double hundred in Colombo in July.

“I would rather go with the Hot Spot because that establishes the contact between the bat and the bowl. That it is far better system according to me. The Hot Spot is much better,” he said.

Tendulkar’s views were shared by Dhoni, who remains adamant that the review system should not be implemented unless it guarantees 100 percent accuracy.

“I personally feel it’s not cent per cent thing. I don’t think it gives cent percent result. It’s not always correct. If I am going to buy a life jacket which does not come with a warranty, that’s a bit of a hassle for me especially with the huge amount of money you have to spend for the UDRS system coming into the game,” Dhoni had said. (ANI)