BCCI says stand on DRS unchanged, but open to talks

Kolkata, June 17 (IANS) Against the backdrop of Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli indicating that the Decision Review System (DRS) could be discussed, the Indian cricket board on Wednesday said its stand on the issue remained unchanged but it was open to "discussions internally".

In a media release, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya said views of the newly set up Cricket Advisory Committee could be taken on use of DRS partially or after modifications during bilateral series.

The "discussions internally" signal a change from the days of former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan, who had dubbed DRS "a faulty system" in October 2013.

"It is clarified that the stand taken on the Decision Review System (DRS) by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains the same as on date," Dalmiya said.

India have steadfastly opposed the use DRS in bilateral series so far.

"But that does not mean we would not be open to discussions internally on whether the DRS could be used partially or in its modified version during bilateral series," said Dalmiya.

Pointing out that the argument against the use of DRS technology is that the system is not foolproof yet, Dalmiya said: "However, since the issue involves technical aspects, views of the Cricket Advisory Committee could also be obtained by BCCI on the subject".

After the one-off rain-marred Test match between India and Bangladesh at Fatullah ended in a tame draw, skipper Kohli said about the use of DRS: "You have to sit and analyse and ask the bowlers what they feel about it. Ask the batters what they feel about that."

"We literally just came into this Test match with very less time on hand. So, now that we have time, I am sure these discussions will take place."

Last year, Kohli's predecessor - and now the team's captain for One-Dayers - Mahendra Singh Dhoni had opened up on the possibility of India changing their mind on DRS if the system could assess an appeal independently and not try to "justify" the on-field umpire's call.