Is Kohli missing Dhoni’s insights on DRS from behind the stumps?

Kohli missing Dhoni’s insights on DRS: Is the absence of MS Dhoni the reason behind Kohli being rated as a poor reviewer?

Notwithstanding his masterly performance with the bat, there is no hiding to the fact that Virat Kohli is currently undergoing a poor series as the captain of the team against England. Another Indian team losing a Test series overseas is certain. However, a few hours will confirm whether they will lose it by 4-1 or 3-1?

Right from making on-field decisions like adjusting the field or calling for the DRS (Decision Review System), Kohli has undoubtedly has had a bad patch in the last month or so.

Talking exclusively about the DRS, Kohli has never been someone who has nailed the art to call correctly. Well, the DRS can be a tricky method to use especially when you challenge the umpire’s call as a fielding captain. Like mentioned above, it is something which Kohli has struggled against in the recent times.

In limited overs, his record is still better but it is mostly because of who calls the shots for India in blue uniform. Former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman in Mahendra Singh Dhoni, known for his wisdom and calmness, is an astute reader of the game. In the limited overs format, it is his advice which matters the most for Kohli.

The experienced campaigner that he is, seldom have we seen him go wrong with the DRS. One of the reason for the same is his fielding position of a wicket-keeper. Standing right behind the stumps, it is the best place to judge regarding the intricacies of a DRS appeal.

Since captain Kohli doesn’t have this luxury with him in Test matches, he ends up taking horrendous decisions. In the 12 on-field DRS calls that Kohli has asked for in this series, only once has he seen the decision going in his favor. It could have been one more had Jasprit Bumrah not bowled a no-ball to Joe Root in the fourth Test.

Kohli isn’t the only one to be blamed for this. The wicket-keepers which he has got in the recent times (Wriddhiman Saha, Parthiv Patel, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant) have all been ineffective with their judgement with the DRS. Even Saha, who before getting injured had almost cemented his spot in the eleven, had made errors with DRS.

In which is a developing aspect of the game, wise decisions regarding the DRS can aid India to be a better team in Test matches. Moreover, Kohli and company should also look to be more patient with this system. It is an exciting element of the game which gives you a hope regarding getting a wicket, but not using it judiciously can also turn to be useless.

The bowlers, who naturally tend towards decisions going in their favor, should also be more practical about it because the DRs can only be used twice in an innings now. Conviction, and not hope, should be the major criteria before opting for DRS if India are not improve their game on a technological front.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

Read More