The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently navigating a pivotal crossroads regarding the modernization of its domestic circuit. While the Apex Council has not yet officially committed to a timeline, the wheels have finally begun to turn.
During a recent online meeting held on December 22, the council held its first formal discussion on introducing the Decision Review System (DRS) into domestic tournaments, marking a significant first step toward technological parity with the international game.
FOLLOW US ON OUR FB PAGE
The primary roadblock facing the Apex Council is the staggering logistical and financial burden. Currently, the ICC-approved Hawkeye technology remains the gold standard for DRS. However, this accuracy comes at a premium: Hawkeye can cost between $10,000 and $15,000 (approx. ₹9 lakh to ₹13 lakh) per match day.
When one considers that the BCCI conducts over 1,500 games annually, the numbers become eye-watering. To implement the full Hawkeye system across the domestic calendar, the annual expenditure could easily exceed ₹150 crore.
For a board managing thousands of match days across various age groups and formats, this “costly proposition” requires deep deliberation.
Given the high price tag of international technology, the Apex Council is exploring more affordable alternatives. Reports suggest that an indigenous DRS system is currently being developed and tested by a group of IITians. This home-grown tech could potentially slash costs to just $2,000–$3,000 a day.
ALSO READ- Pakistan name experimental T20I squad for Sri Lanka tour
While the price is attractive, the BCCI remains cautious. The accuracy and speed of this local system are still under rigorous verification. Until the technology can match the reliability of Hawkeye, the board is unlikely to “greenlight” its full-scale use.
As of today, the Apex Council remains non-committal on a definitive launch date.