Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus admitted his side’s failure to make the right DRS calls hurt them badly against India, saying there was a clear lack of conviction in the decision-making process during crucial moments of the Test.
Afghanistan let several opportunities slip as Indian batters benefited from the visitors’ hesitation to review on-field decisions. KL Rahul survived an edge on the opening day when wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai chose not to appeal, while Rishabh Pant enjoyed a similar reprieve on Day 2 despite appearing to nick the ball through to the keeper.
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The most costly miss came when India captain Shubman Gill was struck in front by Azmat Omarzai. Replays later suggested the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps, but Afghanistan opted against taking the review.
Reflecting on those moments, Pybus acknowledged that Afghanistan’s review process lacked clarity and ultimately came at a significant cost.
IND vs AFG Highlights: One-off Test Day 2
“We were exceptionally rusty. It wasn’t clear, without throwing anybody under the bus, I think there was a lack of conviction in decision making, and at the end of the day the skipper’s got a very short period of time to make those decisions in, and he’s reliant on that feedback. We chatted about it afterwards because we were obviously way off the pace with that, and it cost us,” Pybus said after the day’s play.
According to the Afghanistan coach, the captain can only act on the information provided by those closest to the action, making communication within the fielding unit critical.
“I think the captain is absolutely reliant, and he has got a couple of guys that he is speaking to for the decision making process. He has got the wicketkeeper, who has to give him his alignment, he has got a pointer who needs to give him height, and he is reliant on the bowler as well in terms of what the bowler is seeing in front of him,” he said.
While disappointed with his team’s handling of reviews, Pybus was reluctant to criticise the umpires. He pointed out that match officials are subject to extensive scrutiny and receive detailed feedback on every decision.
“With regard to the umpiring, I know from my experience of being a director of cricket how rigorous the review of the umpiring is, and how the decision making process is reviewed by the ICC.
“There is no wriggle room for the umpires. When they make a mistake, every single decision is reviewed. The umpire will get feedback on that. I have absolutely no doubt that the umpire is doing the best that he can.”
Afghanistan’s missed reviews proved especially costly against a strong Indian batting line-up, with Pybus conceding that his side’s indecision in key moments allowed the match to drift further away from them.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
