India's Test squad for the forthcoming home series versus Sri Lanka was announced on Saturday (February 19). Among the notable omissions, senior pros Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma's absence made heads turn.

While Pujara-Rahane are busy in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2021/22 edition, Saha's future seems to be, more or less, sealed after the 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batter revealed his chat with head coach Rahul Dravid. Saha mentioned that Dravid had a conversation with him, where he revealed that the national side is looking at KS Bharat as the second keeper-batter to Rishabh Pant and not him. In addition, he suggested Saha&nbsp;take a call on his future.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dravid-suggested-retirement-ganguly-assured-test-spot-wriddhiman-saha-makes-explosive-revelations-454719">Dravid suggested retirement, Ganguly assured Test spot: Wriddhiman Saha makes explosive revelations</a>

Following Dravid's remark, Saha's childhood coach Jayant&nbsp;Bhowmik told India Today, "Rahul Dravid is a gentleman. I have heard what he has said. It's alright. But then, even now Indian team has players who are in their late 30s. Everyone knows that Wriddhiman Saha is still No.1 wicketkeeper in the world. Then, what is the problem?"

He further asserted, "There should not be different criteria for different people when it comes to selection. That's unfair. How can this happen? I spoke to Wriddhiman Saha this morning. He is mentally very strong. His mental strength won't be affected because of all this. He is exceptional.

"But what hurts me is Saha is someone who loves the sport, contributed so much to his country and sport but he has been left out without a proper criterion," Jayanta added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-hurt-by-wriddhiman-sahas-comments-he-deserved-honesty-and-clarity-about-his-position-rahul-dravid-454972">Not hurt by Wriddhiman Saha's comments, he deserved honesty and clarity about his position: Rahul Dravid</a>

Not being a part of the Ranji season for Bengal, due to personal reasons, it will be difficult for Saha to reclaim his spot in whites. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma-led India are gearing up for three T20Is versus Sri Lanka before the action moves to the two Tests, starting on March 4.

India's Test squad for the forthcoming home series versus Sri Lanka was announced on Saturday (February 19). Among the notable omissions, senior pros Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma's absence made heads turn.

India's Test squad for the forthcoming home series versus Sri Lanka was announced on Saturday (February 19). Among the notable omissions, senior pros Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma's absence made heads turn. While Pujara-Rahane are busy in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2021/22 edition, Saha's future seems to be, more or less, sealed after the 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batter revealed his chat with head coach Rahul Dravid. Saha mentioned that Dravid had a conversation with him, where he revealed that the national side is looking at KS Bharat as the second keeper-batter to Rishabh Pant and not him. In addition, he suggested Saha take a call on his future. ALSO READ | Dravid suggested retirement, Ganguly assured Test spot: Wriddhiman Saha makes explosive revelations Following Dravid's remark, Saha's childhood coach Jayant Bhowmik told India Today, "Rahul Dravid is a gentleman. I have heard what he has said. It's alright. But then, even now Indian team has players who are in their late 30s. Everyone knows that Wriddhiman Saha is still No.1 wicketkeeper in the world. Then, what is the problem?" He further asserted, "There should not be different criteria for different people when it comes to selection. That's unfair. How can this happen? I spoke to Wriddhiman Saha this morning. He is mentally very strong. His mental strength won't be affected because of all this. He is exceptional. "But what hurts me is Saha is someone who loves the sport, contributed so much to his country and sport but he has been left out without a proper criterion," Jayanta added. ALSO READ | Not hurt by Wriddhiman Saha's comments, he deserved honesty and clarity about his position: Rahul Dravid Not being a part of the Ranji season for Bengal, due to personal reasons, it will be difficult for Saha to reclaim his spot in whites. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma-led India are gearing up for three T20Is versus Sri Lanka before the action moves to the two Tests, starting on March 4.

Shouldn't be different selection criteria for different people: Wriddhiman Saha's coach on Dravid's remark

Team India beat South Africa by 113 runs to win the first Test, of the three-match series, in their 2021/22 tour of the&nbsp;African nation. With this win, India achieved only their fourth Test victory in South Africa and their first at Centurion (SA's fortress since 2014). Earlier in the year, India had breached Australia's 32-year-long fortress, i.e. at The Gabba, Brisbane.

Thus, India had a glorious run in the longest format of the game in 2021. In the year, India came from behind and without many key players to beat Australia in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under (their second Test series triumph in Australia in a row), beat England and New Zealand at home (3-1 and 1-0 respectively) and also achieved an unassailable 2-1 lead over Joe Root &amp; Co. in the incomplete five Tests in the United Kingdom.

The only blip in India's Test run in 2021 came during the WTC final, where Kohli &amp; Co. lost the coveted title by 8 wickets. Hence, the 33-year-old Indian Test captain reviewed India's year in Tests with great pride.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jasprit-bumrah-mohammed-shami-or-mohammed-siraj-aakash-chopra-names-indias-no-1-pacer-in-tests-441347">Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj? Aakash Chopra names India's No. 1 pacer in Tests</a>

"New Year is a very good time to look back and analyse how you played your cricket. And I think we played some outstanding cricket, not just this year, but over the last two three years, especially overseas. We are a side who are getting better and gaining more confidence with how much cricket we play. It feels amazing to be 1-0 up. Sets up wonderfully for the Wanderers," Kohli said on BCCI.tv.

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Scenes from Centurion 👌<a href="https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ">https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ</a> goes behind the scenes post <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a>'s historic win at SuperSport Park 🏟️🙌 
 
Full video coming up soon 📽️ - Stay tuned ⏳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/oKyGhm0MxF">pic.twitter.com/oKyGhm0MxF</a>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1476564857419825155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/a-look-at-plethora-of-records-achieved-by-virat-kohli-as-india-thrash-south-africa-in-centurion-441243">A look at plethora of records achieved by Virat Kohli as India thrash South Africa in Centurion</a>

"Test series in South Africa or in any place is not easy and Centurion is obviously the most difficult of them all. We ended up getting a result within four days which is a testimony to the fact that we have become the side which we are today and the strength of the squad was on full display. We were just looking for opportunities to win the game. That's how we play our cricket now. And given an opportunity at any given stage we will bounce back. It is a beautiful position to be in, to be 1-0 up away from home with the opposition under pressure in the second Test as well is a golden opportunity and I'm absolutely certain that all the players will be looking forward to it and we can wait for Jo'burg," he added.

The No. 1 ranked Indian Test team will now look to move ahead in a similar stead in the next year and hope to start 2022 with a bang by winning the second and penultimate Test versus Proteas; claiming their maiden Test series win in the African nation.

The second Test starts on January 3 at The Wanderers, Johannesburg.

Team India beat South Africa by 113 runs to win the first Test, of the three-match series, in their 2021/22 tour of the African nation. With this win, India achieved only their fourth Test victory in South Africa and their first at Centurion (SA's fortress since 2014).

Team India beat South Africa by 113 runs to win the first Test, of the three-match series, in their 2021/22 tour of the African nation. With this win, India achieved only their fourth Test victory in South Africa and their first at Centurion (SA's fortress since 2014). Earlier in the year, India had breached Australia's 32-year-long fortress, i.e. at The Gabba, Brisbane. Thus, India had a glorious run in the longest format of the game in 2021. In the year, India came from behind and without many key players to beat Australia in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under (their second Test series triumph in Australia in a row), beat England and New Zealand at home (3-1 and 1-0 respectively) and also achieved an unassailable 2-1 lead over Joe Root & Co. in the incomplete five Tests in the United Kingdom. The only blip in India's Test run in 2021 came during the WTC final, where Kohli & Co. lost the coveted title by 8 wickets. Hence, the 33-year-old Indian Test captain reviewed India's year in Tests with great pride. ALSO READ | Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj? Aakash Chopra names India's No. 1 pacer in Tests "New Year is a very good time to look back and analyse how you played your cricket. And I think we played some outstanding cricket, not just this year, but over the last two three years, especially overseas. We are a side who are getting better and gaining more confidence with how much cricket we play. It feels amazing to be 1-0 up. Sets up wonderfully for the Wanderers," Kohli said on BCCI.tv. Scenes from Centurion 👌https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ goes behind the scenes post #TeamIndia's historic win at SuperSport Park 🏟️🙌 Full video coming up soon 📽️ - Stay tuned ⏳#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/oKyGhm0MxF — BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2021 × ALSO READ | A look at plethora of records achieved by Virat Kohli as India thrash South Africa in Centurion "Test series in South Africa or in any place is not easy and Centurion is obviously the most difficult of them all. We ended up getting a result within four days which is a testimony to the fact that we have become the side which we are today and the strength of the squad was on full display. We were just looking for opportunities to win the game. That's how we play our cricket now. And given an opportunity at any given stage we will bounce back. It is a beautiful position to be in, to be 1-0 up away from home with the opposition under pressure in the second Test as well is a golden opportunity and I'm absolutely certain that all the players will be looking forward to it and we can wait for Jo'burg," he added. The No. 1 ranked Indian Test team will now look to move ahead in a similar stead in the next year and hope to start 2022 with a bang by winning the second and penultimate Test versus Proteas; claiming their maiden Test series win in the African nation. The second Test starts on January 3 at The Wanderers, Johannesburg.

We played some outstanding cricket: Virat Kohli looks back at India's glorious Test run in 2021

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar took to social media to dismiss reports that suggested that he is not interested in playing in Test cricket. A report from a leading newspaper published a report on Friday that read that Bhuvneshwar was not considered for WTC finals and India's tour of England because he no longer has the drive to play Test cricket.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/trump-card-for-englands-chances-in-australia-steve-waugh-lauds-jofra-archer-384942" hreflang="en">'Trump card for England’s chances in Australia': Steve Waugh lauds Archer</a>

"Bhuvneshwar just doesn’t want to play Test cricket anymore. That drive has gone missing… To be honest, the selectors don’t even see Bhuvi hungry for 10 overs, forget Test cricket. It’s Team India’s loss no doubt, because if one bowler should have made it to England, it should have been him," a report in the Times of India stated.

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There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket. Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same. 
Suggestion - please don’t write your assumptions based on “sources”!
— Bhuvneshwar Kumar (@BhuviOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/BhuviOfficial/status/1393537842828169220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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But, the fast bowler took to social media and rubbished the reports and said: "There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket. Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same. Suggestion - please don’t write your assumptions based on “sources”!"

Kumar last&nbsp;donned the white jersey back in 2018 during the Test series against South Africa. But, he has failed to make it to the playing XI in a test match since then due to a string of injuries. He finally donned the Indian jersey in the T20Is and ODIs against England, earlier this year. He had a good outing against England as he scalped 10 wickets from 8 games. &nbsp;

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar took to social media to dismiss reports that suggested that he is not interested in playing in Test cricket. A report from a leading newspaper published a report on Friday that read that Bhuvneshwar was not considered for WTC finals and India's tour of England because he no longer has the drive to play Test cricket.

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar took to social media to dismiss reports that suggested that he is not interested in playing in Test cricket. A report from a leading newspaper published a report on Friday that read that Bhuvneshwar was not considered for WTC finals and India's tour of England because he no longer has the drive to play Test cricket. ALSO READ: 'Trump card for England’s chances in Australia': Steve Waugh lauds Archer "Bhuvneshwar just doesn’t want to play Test cricket anymore. That drive has gone missing… To be honest, the selectors don’t even see Bhuvi hungry for 10 overs, forget Test cricket. It’s Team India’s loss no doubt, because if one bowler should have made it to England, it should have been him," a report in the Times of India stated. There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket. Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same. Suggestion - please don’t write your assumptions based on “sources”! — Bhuvneshwar Kumar (@BhuviOfficial) May 15, 2021 × But, the fast bowler took to social media and rubbished the reports and said: "There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket. Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same. Suggestion - please don’t write your assumptions based on “sources”!" Kumar last donned the white jersey back in 2018 during the Test series against South Africa. But, he has failed to make it to the playing XI in a test match since then due to a string of injuries. He finally donned the Indian jersey in the T20Is and ODIs against England, earlier this year. He had a good outing against England as he scalped 10 wickets from 8 games.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismisses reports suggesting he does not want to play Test cricket

Australia might have been outwitted in the opening Test but former skipper Ricky Ponting believes the hosts will hold an edge over India in the second Test at the Perth beginning Friday.

India defeated Australia by 31 runs in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/ind-vs-aus-cheteshwar-pujara-shines-as-kohli-team-wins-1st-test-match-182840">the first match to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series for the first time </a>in 70 years.

Ponting believes the nature of the new-look Perth pitch will suit the Australians.

"I think Perth will definitely suit our guys a lot more than the Indian players, but the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-shares-plan-to-frustrate-australia-in-next-test-182914">Aussies need to bounce back pretty quickly</a>," Ponting told cricket.Com.Au.

Ponting said Australia need to find out their shortcomings quickly and learn from them after putting a poor show in the first Test.

"They played pretty poorly this week and got within 30 runs. And that's not saying India played at their absolute best either, but they're absolutely capable," he said.

"There's some positives to take from it but they've also got to take a good hard look at what they've done through this game and make sure they do it a lot better."

Ponting said Australia should avoid any knee-jerk reaction and retain the batting order and field the same playing XI in the second Test, despite Aaron Finch's failure as an opener.

The selectors, coach Justin Langer and skipper Tim Paine had backed Finch to open the Australian innings in Adelaide and Ponting feels they shouldn't change their opinion after just one Test.

"Why wouldn't they do that for this game if that's their best line-up?" Ponting asked if Finch should bat down the order.

"I just think that would be really reactionary. The selectors have made a decision, or whoever is setting the batting order, that they think Aaron Finch is the right guy to be opening the batting for Australia.

"When you start moving guys around, it just creates more uncertainty. Finch would potentially train differently next week than he had this week because he's not opening (and) Usman has to train differently because he is opening.

"Little things like that would come into their minds. If I was them, I'd be tempted to keep it the same way."

Finch got out for nought and 11 in the two innings of the first Test.

Australia might have been outwitted in the opening Test but former skipper Ricky Ponting believes the hosts will hold an edge over India in the second Test at the Perth beginning Friday.

Australia might have been outwitted in the opening Test but former skipper Ricky Ponting believes the hosts will hold an edge over India in the second Test at the Perth beginning Friday. India defeated Australia by 31 runs in the first match to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series for the first time in 70 years. Ponting believes the nature of the new-look Perth pitch will suit the Australians. "I think Perth will definitely suit our guys a lot more than the Indian players, but the Aussies need to bounce back pretty quickly," Ponting told cricket.Com.Au. Ponting said Australia need to find out their shortcomings quickly and learn from them after putting a poor show in the first Test. "They played pretty poorly this week and got within 30 runs. And that's not saying India played at their absolute best either, but they're absolutely capable," he said. "There's some positives to take from it but they've also got to take a good hard look at what they've done through this game and make sure they do it a lot better." Ponting said Australia should avoid any knee-jerk reaction and retain the batting order and field the same playing XI in the second Test, despite Aaron Finch's failure as an opener. The selectors, coach Justin Langer and skipper Tim Paine had backed Finch to open the Australian innings in Adelaide and Ponting feels they shouldn't change their opinion after just one Test. "Why wouldn't they do that for this game if that's their best line-up?" Ponting asked if Finch should bat down the order. "I just think that would be really reactionary. The selectors have made a decision, or whoever is setting the batting order, that they think Aaron Finch is the right guy to be opening the batting for Australia. "When you start moving guys around, it just creates more uncertainty. Finch would potentially train differently next week than he had this week because he's not opening (and) Usman has to train differently because he is opening. "Little things like that would come into their minds. If I was them, I'd be tempted to keep it the same way." Finch got out for nought and 11 in the two innings of the first Test.

Perth will suit Australia more than India: Ricky Ponting

India will become the last Test nation to embrace cricket&#39;s decision review system (DRS) this week, ending their resistance to on-field technology at a time of growing debate about its impact on the game.

While the recent series between England and Bangladesh fuelled criticism that the constant resort to TV replays has undermined umpires&#39; confidence, DRS supporters say the technology is rapidly improving.

While the other nine teams have been using DRS for years, the world&#39;s number one Test side had resisted over doubts about its reliability, sparked by a frustrating trial run in 2008.

India&#39;s master batsman Sachin Tendulkar was long rumoured to be at the forefront of the opposition in the dressing room and World Cup winning skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was also a sceptic.

But opposition has faded since Tendulkar retired and Dhoni stepped down as Test skipper (he remains ODI captain).

India&#39;s agreement to employ DRS for the five-Test series against England that begins this week came after an International Cricket Council (ICC) presentation last month on upgrades in technology.

Announcing the U-turn, the country&#39;s cricket board president Anurag Thakur said India &quot;recognise the enhanced role of technology in sport&quot; and would deploy all the DRS tools in the England series.

DRS comprises three main elements: ball-tracking technology known as &#39;Hawkeye&#39;; a high-audio microphone known as &#39;snicko&#39; which detects the sound of a ball grazing the bat or gloves; and &#39;hotspot&#39; thermal imaging which can also determine where a ball makes contact.

Improved technology&nbsp;

ICC general manager Geoff Allardice said India&#39;s change of heart stemmed from improvements which more accurately predict whether the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps after hitting a batsman&#39;s pads.

&quot;Our aim for a long time has been to make the DRS technology better with an end goal of getting it used more consistently in international cricket,&quot; he said in a conference call from the ICC&#39;s Dubai headquarters.

Allardice said India&#39;s new coach Anil Kumble has been key to the change of heart after being a DRS proponent in his old position as chairman of the ICC cricket committee.

That the former spinner, who took a record 619 wickets for India, is a DRS fan is no surprise given the system is widely seen to have most benefited spinners.

Figures have shown the number of leg before wicket (LBW) decisions in favour of spinners has roughly doubled since DRS came into widespread usage in 2009.

Before, umpires could rarely be persuaded to raise their finger unless the ball was arrowed towards middle stump but batsmen now often have to walk after being hit on the pad by balls heading for off or leg.

Bishan Bedi, another legendary Indian spinner, is delighted India are finally using DRS.

&quot;Better late than never,&quot; he told AFP, saying India stood to benefit given the number of spinners they employ on their own turning tracks.

&quot;It should be good for the spinners. It cannot humanly be possible to eradicate human error so the more we can reduce it, the better.&quot;

But while India are now on board, the&nbsp;debate about the pros and cons of DRS shows no signs of abating -- particularly after 42 decisions were reviewed in last month&#39;s Bangladesh-England series.

Constant scrutiny

Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena had 16 decisions reviewed, eight of which were overturned by a colleague scrutinising the slow-motion replays.

The constant reviews drained some of the drama from a nail-biting series. It reached its nadir at the end of the first Test when England had to wait several minutes before their victory was confirmed.

Allardice acknowledged the number of reviews going against an umpire was a factor in deciding whether they remain on the elite panel which officiate in Tests, while insisting the ICC wouldn&#39;t &quot;jump to a conclusion on the basis of one single performance&quot;.

India&#39;s former international umpire Krishna Hariharan said it was important players continued to respect the umpires&#39; authority.

&quot;If technology can assist in the betterment of cricket it is definitely welcome, but remember it is always in the hands of the on-field umpire,&quot; said Hariharan who sits on India&#39;s umpire assessment committee.

Some observers say DRS has also undermined a basic tenet of the game, accepting the rough with the smooth.

&quot;There is much rhetoric about the spirit of cricket: but few things have betrayed that spirit more&quot; than DRS, the columnist Simon Heffer wrote in Britain&#39;s Daily Telegraph recently.

(AFP)

India's agreement to employ DRS came after an International Cricket Council (ICC) presentation last month on upgrades in technology

India will become the last Test nation to embrace cricket's decision review system (DRS) this week, ending their resistance to on-field technology at a time of growing debate about its impact on the game. While the recent series between England and Bangladesh fuelled criticism that the constant resort to TV replays has undermined umpires' confidence, DRS supporters say the technology is rapidly improving. While the other nine teams have been using DRS for years, the world's number one Test side had resisted over doubts about its reliability, sparked by a frustrating trial run in 2008. India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar was long rumoured to be at the forefront of the opposition in the dressing room and World Cup winning skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was also a sceptic. But opposition has faded since Tendulkar retired and Dhoni stepped down as Test skipper (he remains ODI captain). India's agreement to employ DRS for the five-Test series against England that begins this week came after an International Cricket Council (ICC) presentation last month on upgrades in technology. Announcing the U-turn, the country's cricket board president Anurag Thakur said India "recognise the enhanced role of technology in sport" and would deploy all the DRS tools in the England series. DRS comprises three main elements: ball-tracking technology known as 'Hawkeye'; a high-audio microphone known as 'snicko' which detects the sound of a ball grazing the bat or gloves; and 'hotspot' thermal imaging which can also determine where a ball makes contact. Improved technology ICC general manager Geoff Allardice said India's change of heart stemmed from improvements which more accurately predict whether the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps after hitting a batsman's pads. "Our aim for a long time has been to make the DRS technology better with an end goal of getting it used more consistently in international cricket," he said in a conference call from the ICC's Dubai headquarters. Allardice said India's new coach Anil Kumble has been key to the change of heart after being a DRS proponent in his old position as chairman of the ICC cricket committee. That the former spinner, who took a record 619 wickets for India, is a DRS fan is no surprise given the system is widely seen to have most benefited spinners. Figures have shown the number of leg before wicket (LBW) decisions in favour of spinners has roughly doubled since DRS came into widespread usage in 2009. Before, umpires could rarely be persuaded to raise their finger unless the ball was arrowed towards middle stump but batsmen now often have to walk after being hit on the pad by balls heading for off or leg. Bishan Bedi, another legendary Indian spinner, is delighted India are finally using DRS. "Better late than never," he told AFP, saying India stood to benefit given the number of spinners they employ on their own turning tracks. "It should be good for the spinners. It cannot humanly be possible to eradicate human error so the more we can reduce it, the better." But while India are now on board, the debate about the pros and cons of DRS shows no signs of abating -- particularly after 42 decisions were reviewed in last month's Bangladesh-England series. Constant scrutiny Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena had 16 decisions reviewed, eight of which were overturned by a colleague scrutinising the slow-motion replays. The constant reviews drained some of the drama from a nail-biting series. It reached its nadir at the end of the first Test when England had to wait several minutes before their victory was confirmed. Allardice acknowledged the number of reviews going against an umpire was a factor in deciding whether they remain on the elite panel which officiate in Tests, while insisting the ICC wouldn't "jump to a conclusion on the basis of one single performance". India's former international umpire Krishna Hariharan said it was important players continued to respect the umpires' authority. "If technology can assist in the betterment of cricket it is definitely welcome, but remember it is always in the hands of the on-field umpire," said Hariharan who sits on India's umpire assessment committee. Some observers say DRS has also undermined a basic tenet of the game, accepting the rough with the smooth. "There is much rhetoric about the spirit of cricket: but few things have betrayed that spirit more" than DRS, the columnist Simon Heffer wrote in Britain's Daily Telegraph recently. (AFP)

Cricket: DRS makes India debut but debate still rages