This doesn’t solve the problem: Harshal Patel shares his views on the option to avail DRS for wide and no-ball calls in IPL 2023

RCB ace quick Harshal Patel believes that there is a lot that will have to be looked into after IPL announced that from the upcoming season, DRS can be availed to check for wides and no-balls. The angles are bound to be different when bowling to the right-handers versus the southpaws, and it will be intriguing to see how teams use the DRS option, specifically in the death overs. 

Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Harshal Patel said, “Technology can definitely be helpful in situations where you can separate black and white. But these balls are always going to be grey, especially wide-ball lines. Because you can't really judge how much the batter has moved, whether the ball was within his reach or the angle of the delivery.”

Explaining further, RCB’s highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021 added, “There's going to be a huge difference in where the ball finishes between a right-hander bowling the same [ball] a couple of inches outside the wide line and a left-hander bowling from over the stumps a couple of inches outside the wide line. When the [right-hand] batter tries to reach, it's always going to be wider when he plays the left-hander, [and] it's always going to be closer when he plays the right-hander.”

He continued, “I don't know how many of these factors will be taken into account when making decisions. Obviously, they can't take a lot of these factors into account because that will consume a lot of time. In my humble opinion, this doesn't solve the problem. You have to call it the human factor in the game and move on."

Making another important point on the number of reviews and how they will be used, Harshal said, “The other thing is you get only two reviews, right? Do you really want to use a review on a marginal call, which may or may not go in your favour, as opposed to use it in a situation where you can get the batter out?”

Needless to be said, the DRS option for wides and no-balls throws up a plethora of options for teams to try and challenge umpiring decisions during the match. In addition to that rule change and the introduction of the ‘Impact Player’, there’s a lot to look forward to in IPL 2023.