Umpiring can improve: India capt Dhoni

MS Dhoni feels the standard of umpiring can improve in the ongoing Test series, but doubts whether DRS would achieve such a goal.

India were on the wrong end of a handful of poor decisions at Adelaide Oval and the Gabba.

Dhoni, a strident critic of the Decision Review System (DRS), was forthright when the topic was raised on Saturday.

“What’s more important (than DRS) is that a lot of 50-50 decisions are not going our way,” Dhoni said.

“Those decisions won’t go in our favour (with DRS),” he opined.

Dhoni added that the standard of umpiring can “certainly improve”, but felt the searing heat in Brisbane played a part.

“They stand there for five days continuously … it’s tough on them,” Dhoni said.

“But I always try and tell them to be consistent throughout the Test.

“There have been quite a few 50-50 calls where we have been on the receiving end.”

Dhoni had at least one animated discussion with Marais Erasmus in Brisbane.

It came on day two when he scampered through for three leg-byes, the umpire ruling Dhoni did not offer a shot.

Replays suggested Ravichandran Ashwin was unlucky to be judged caught behind on Saturday.

The offspinner lingered at the crease momentarily, staring at umpire Ian Gould.

It was exactly the same course of action adopted by Cheteshwar Pujara on Wednesday, when Gould gave him out caught behind.

Replays confirmed why – the ball clearly deflected off Pujara’s helmet with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin uninterested in appealing.

It is the type of howler that led to the development of the DRS six years ago.

However, India mistrust the system and it will not be used in the ongoing four-Test series.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!