If DRS shows ball is hitting the stumps, it should be given out – Sachin Tendulkar

Former Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar reckons if the Decision Review System is showing that the ball is hitting the stumps, then it should be given out. As per the current law, more than 50% of the ball should be hitting the stumps for the on-field decision to be overturned.

However, Tendulkar believes if the ball is hitting the stumps on the DRS, then the batsman should be adjudged out irrespective of umpire’s call. The umpire’s call is given preference and the team retains its review if the DRS returns it as umpire’s call.

Meanwhile, Tendulkar argues that he doesn’t agree with the current rule. If the umpire gives a ‘not out’ decision and the ball is hitting the stumps, it should be out, according to the former legendary batsman. After all, the ball has to just clip the stumps for the bails to be dislodged and thus the benefit of doubt must go to the bowler rather than the batsman.

The modern-day game is heavily dependent on the use of technology and Sachin Tendulkar feels we should let the technology overtake if we are making use of it.

“One thing I don’t agree with, with the ICC, is the DRS they’ve been using for quite some time. It is the LBW decision where more than 50% of the ball must be hitting the stumps for the on-field decision to be overturned. The only reason they (the batsman or the bowler) have gone upstairs is because they are unhappy with the on-field decision, so when the decision goes to the third umpire, let the technology take over; just like in Tennis – it’s either in or out, there’s nothing in between.

“I know a number of people have said that technology is 100% right, but neither are humans. So once you decide to use technology, you rely on it. Here, too, you have to see the travel path of the ball – the ball is not directly hitting the stumps, there’s a guy standing in between – so a number of elements come in to play – the turn, the bounce, the swing, all those things – but eventually you have to follow that travel path and rely on technology,” Tendulkar said in a video chat with West Indies legend Brian Lara.

Meanwhile, former Australian captain Ian Chappell had also recently opined that the batsman must be adjudged out if the ball is hitting the stumps, irrespective of where it is pitching. Currently, if the ball pitches outside the leg-stump, then it is not considered for leg-before wicket.

Recently, ICC also decided to increase the DRS in all the three forms of the game during Covid-19 era. The local umpires will be given preference and thus ICC has decided to increase the available DRS. There are three DRS in Test fold per innings whereas two each in ODI and T20I format for a particular team.