India-England Test series to run without DRS

Neither the English nor the Indian batsmen would be able to challenge controversial decisions as the five-match Test series that starts here Wednesday would be run without the Decision Review System (DRS).

The DRS is applicable for all International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments but in bilateral series it depends on the two participating boards.

India have been a strong critic of the DRS and have always opposed it. This series also is the first between the two cricket superpowers after the formal takeover of the ICC by cricket's 'big three' - India, England and Australia.

Former India spinner Ravi Shastri, a member of the ICC's cricket committee, insisted that it is a myth that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is always opposed to the DRS.

"It's just a myth that the BCCI and India are opposed to DRS. They want technology to be consistent," Shastri was quoted as saying by South African news agency SAPA.

Shastri feels it is the third umpire, and not the players, who should be making the decision.

"I want it taken away from the players. Let the third umpire do it - give him the technology that works," said Shastri, BCCI's leading television commentator.

Shastri wondered why there are just two unsuccessful reviews every 80 overs of a Test innings.

"Why have only two reviews? It shouldn't be a case of a you having no reviews left and the Test match ending with an even bigger howler," he said.