The 2022-23 Ranji Trophy final, one of the most prestigious domestic cricket championships in India, is currently being played with the full version of the Decision Review System (DRS). This is the first time the full version of the DRS is being used in the final, marking a shift from the limited DRS which was used during the semi-final and final of the 2019-20 season. The full DRS includes ball-tracking and UltraEdge technologies, which are the two key elements of the review system used at the international level.
Bengal, one of the finalists, welcomed the use of the DRS system in the final. Manoj Tiwary, the team captain, stated that it was good news and that it should be implemented in all matches that have live telecasts. He also mentioned that after playing all the league matches, they have seen many mistakes so far in the season. He added that the DRS will be a good opportunity for the players.
Saurashtra, the other finalist, won the toss and chose to bowl on the opening day of the final, which is being played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Bengal were bundled out for 174 in their first innings, with Saurashtra’s Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya claiming three wickets each, while Chirag Jani and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja got two each. However, courtesy of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Porel’s gritty half-centuries, Bengal recovered from a sudden collapse. Currently, Saurashtra are in total command with 81/2 on the board, trailing by 93 runs.
The use of the full DRS in the final is a significant development for the domestic cricket championship, as it will provide players with an opportunity to experience the technology used at the international level. The DRS has been known to be a game-changer in cricket, and its use in the Ranji Trophy final will not only provide a fairer playing field but also increase the level of excitement and intensity in the game.
