The big news: India to use DRS in England series

Finally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has agreed to use the Decision Review System during the upcoming five-Test series against England next month, however, on a trial basis. The board said the move will not be permanent until it can "evaluate the improvements made" in the system. This is the first time India will be using the DRS since 2008. The first Test between India and England will take place on November 9 in Saurashtra.

The Indian cricket board's major problem with the DRS was the Hawk-Eye technology used to review leg-before-wicket decisions, which it felt was not accurate. "We are happy to note that Hawk-Eye has institutionalised all the recommendations made by BCCI, and we confirm that this improved version of DRS will be used on a trial basis during the forthcoming series against England," BCCI president Anurag Thakur told ESPNcricinfo.

Other top stories

  1. The dates and venues for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia were announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Friday. The first Test will be played in Pune from February 23. The second Test will then take place in Bangalore from March 4, followed by the third in Ranchi from March 16. Dharamsala will host the fourth Test from March 25.
  2. The Supreme Court further cut the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s financial power by stating that it cannot sign contracts above a monetary ceiling that will now be fixed by the Justice Lodha panel, reported The Indian Express. 
  3. Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal played a crucial knock of 78 to help his side finish 72 runs short of England's 293 at the close of play on the second day of the first Test at Chittgong. The hosts were 221/5 at the close of play with star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan at the crease.
  4. The amount of cricket being played today is beyond comparison. For example, Australia will play a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in Adelaide just one day before the first Test against India begins in Pune on February 23. There is only around a 16-hour gap between the end of the day-night fixture at the Adelaide Oval on February 22 and the start of the first day of the Test series. Australia may have to select entirely different squads for the three T20Is against Sri Lanka and the four Tests in India.
  5. Pakistan were at their dominating best on day one of the second Test against West Indies in Abu Dhabi. Younis Khan, who scored his 33rd Test hundred, bailed his side out of trouble from a worrying 42/2 with a brilliant 127. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 90 as Pakistan finished at 304/4 at stumps.