Morgan calls for DRS in T20s after Root howler

new delhi — Eoin Morgan has called for cricket’s Decision Review System (DRS) to be used in Twenty20 internationals after a final over umpiring error cost England victory in the second match of their series against India.

Needing just eight to win off the final over in Nagpur on Sunday night, England were stunned by the dismissal of their star batsman Joe Root off the first ball and ultimately fell five runs short of their target.

TV replays showed that Root had got a thick inside edge onto his pads but he had no chance of challenging Indian umpire Chettithody Shamshuddin’s decision as DRS is only used in Test match and ODI cricket.

The same umpire also turned down a vehement lbw appeal from England bowler Chris Jordan who was convinced he had dismissed Virat Kohli during India’s innings.

Replays indicated that the ball would have hit off and middle stumps but Kohli, who was on seven at the time, was reprieved and went on to score another crucial 14 runs.

England skipper Morgan admitted there was “extreme frustration” in the visitors’ dressingroom after the match, saying it was time for DRS to be introduced for the game’s shortest format.

“The fact it’s not (available) is a concern. There is as much on the line as there is in a Test or a one-day match so no reason why it shouldn’t be used,” Morgan told the post-match press conference.

Asked whether England would raise Shamshuddin’s performance with the match referee Andy Pycroft of Zimbabwe, Morgan said “absolutely”. “We have an opportunity to do that before the next game, there’s always feedback given through the match referee on our report,” he said. “It’s part and parcel of the job to be able to cope with the pressure and make good decisions more often than not,” Morgan added.

While DRS has been employed in Test matches since 2009 and was introduced in ODIs in 2011, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has refused to sanction its use in T20s on the grounds that it would slow down the game. —