Ajinkya Rahane ready to help India with DRS against England
Monday 7 November 2016 12:30, UK
India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is ready to shoulder more responsibility when his team experience using DRS in the Test series against England.
A steadfast critic of the innovation aimed at curbing umpiring errors by using technology, India have finally agreed to try DRS, on a trial basis, in the five-match series, which starts in Rajkot on Wednesday.
Particularly sceptical of the accuracy of the ball-tracking element of the system, the Indian team will be embracing a system they dumped after bitter experience in a 2008 series in Sri Lanka.
"It's a completely a new concept for all of us," he said. "We've been discussing it from last series [against New Zealand] and we have some plans.
Fielding captains usually get advice from the bowler and wicketkeeper before challenging an umpiring decision, but Rahane is ready to give his input from the slip position.
"Obviously, the wicketkeeper is very important. But as a slip fielder, you have a role to convey that message to the captain and the bowler," said the batsman.
"As a batsman, you are always involved in the game. You have to see where the ball is going, you have to convey the message to your partner and you have to be sure all the time.
"We will spend time explaining DRS, how it works and how we should approach. But our main focus is on playing good cricket and attacking cricket.
"We want to dominate the series. We've been playing some good cricket for the last one and half years. It's important that we start well here and continue that momentum."
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