Sachin Tendulkar has said he is in favour of cricket taking assistance from technology as long as one uniform system is implemented across the world. The Decision Review System (DRS) has consistently been a cause of debate in Indian cricket with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continuing to oppose its use in bilateral series, calling it a faulty system. Meanwhile, matches between other countries are played with DRS very much in use, creating an unhealthy inconsistency in the use of technology in world cricket.
Tendulkar, however, has taken a different stand to that of the BCCI, adding that the system need not be perfect as long its enforcement is “standardised” by the International Cricket Council.
Speaking on Friday at the UK launch of his autobiography “Playing it My Way”, Tendulkar said: "I don't know right now what BCCI's stance is. From an individual point of view I can definitely say that we can't have bits and pieces in different, different parts of the world. One part of the world is using Snickometer. The other part of the world is Hot Spot. Somewhere else we are using something else. It's got to be standardised."
Tendulkar’s thoughts on the issue are slightly ironical as it was thought that it was his resistance to the system that made the BCCI oppose the DRS in the first place. However, judging by his comments, that does not seem to be the case.
The 41-year old, who was accompanied by former England captain Nasser Hussain at the launch, acknowledged that DRS can never be absolutely perfect and to expect a 100% error-free system is unfair.
"Why should we settle for only 50% result? Why not get as close to 100%? It is impossible to get 100% right. There will be some errors here and there. It really does not matter if Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are playing or England and Australia are playing. An international match is an international match. It is unfair on lesser teams who do not have the full package. We can definitely use technology as long as it is standardised."
Indians playing County cricket would be beneficial
Tendulkar also said that playing County cricket would benefit India’s players in being more competitive away from home in the future, adding that the experience will not aid then as players but also as individuals.
Citing Zaheer Khan’s example, Tendulkar remarked: "Most definitely. I remember Zaheer Khan was having a lot of injuries [in 2006]. There was a period when he was away from cricket for a while. That is when I told him: "Zaheer, for you there is no off-season. Whenever the monsoons are on in India you go to England and play. You will be transformed as a cricketer." That is what he did. I thought county cricket was instrumental in transforming Zaheer as a bowler."
“Playing for Yorkshire turning point in my career”
Tendulkar himself played County cricket for Yorkshire in 1992, becoming the club’s first ever overseas player in the process, and felt that the experience was a turning point in his cricketing career. "It was a turning point in my career because it not just taught me more about the conditions but also taught me a lot as a person. To be able to travel around on my own in England at the age of 19 was an experience; not many 19-year-olds get to do that. I thoroughly enjoyed my stint at Yorkshire. Right from the president of the county to the groundsman were all supportive and welcoming. I can never forget that experience - the warmth and reception I got," he concluded.
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