Viru bats for UDRS in Tests
Mumbai, Oct. 31: India may be relucant to implement the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), but the International Cricket Council’s latest innovation has found a supporter in Virender Sehwag.
The swashbuckling Delhi opener threw his weight behind the technology asking for its implementation in all of India’s upcoming fixtures, including the next year’s World Cup. “I am a big fan of the UDRS. I want the system to be used during the New Zealand and South Africa series as well as the World Cup,” said Sehwag, who on the day signed a five-year deal with the Professional Management Group. The deal is understood to be worth over Rs 100 crore in the first three years.
The UDRS will not be used in India’s three-match Test series against the Kiwis starting in Ahmedabad on Thursday, while a decision on its implementation for the team’s South Africa tour in December is yet to be taken.
Sehwag’s views on the UDRS differ from the BCCI and also top players, including skipper M.S. Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar. Both Dhoni and Tendulkar have been sceptical of the system, questioning its effectiveness.
“This is my personal opinion,” said Sehwag, who has scored 7,152 runs from 81 Tests at an average of 53.37. “I was wrongly given out twice and in such a situation I could have gone in for a referral, which would have helped me.” Sehwag also said that he was least concerned about a radical move by the cricket authorities to send undercover agents to players posing as illegal bookmakers. “I am not bothered whether they are undercover or overcover. I am clean. Only those who have something to hide need be concerned. I know my role and goals,” said Sehwag. He was reacting to Australian media reports saying that the ICC was considering such a plan to root out allegations of corruption that has rocked Pakistan cricket.
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