Apex Council deliberates on DRS in domestic cricket
Will the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduce DRS in domestic cricket? As of today, there is no indication of it, but Cricbuzz can confirm that there was a discussion over it at the recent Apex Council meeting. In short, the first step has been taken towards it.
The BCCI functionaries are non-committal about whether the Decision Review System can be introduced across domestic games, but the members were told that the office-bearers will look into the suggestion made at the December 22 online meeting.
The biggest impediment for DRS in domestic cricket is the cost. The ICC-approved Hawkeye technology, which is used for DRS, can cost between $10,000-15,000 per match day. That is close to Rs 9 lakh a day at the least. The BCCI conducts over 1,500 games annually, and the number of match days can be much higher, considering the multiple matches in the calendar.
The BCCI has informed the Apex Council that it will look into the idea, acknowledging that implementing DRS for domestic games can be an extremely costly proposition. The annual cost of it can go beyond Rs 150 crore if the BCCI were to engage with Hawkeye.
Indigenous technology is being developed and experimented with, and it is learnt that it can cost $2,000-3,000 a day, but the accuracy and speed of the technology - apparently being developed by some IITians - are still being verified and tested. It may take some time for an indigenous DRS system to come to domestic games, but discussions have surely started.
BCCI extends Tech Mahindra deal
The BCCI, meanwhile, has given a six-month extension to Tech Mahindra that manages the board's website and mobile applications. The company has sought extension for 12 months but the Apex Council, it is learnt, has approved only six months. The original agreement was valid until December 31, 2024 and it was subsequently extended until December 31, 2025.
"This extension has enabled the seamless day to day functioning of the BCCI's digital properties, including the conduct and coverage of BCCI's international tournaments, BCCI's domestic tournaments and ODMS, during the period in which the consolidated RFP process for BCCI's digital platform management has been underway," a BCCI note states.
"As the consolidated RFP process is now nearing its formal conclusion and the 2025- 2026 season is underway, BCCI has engaged with Tech Mahindra to seek a further short term extension of the existing arrangement. Specifically, BCCI has requested a 6 (six) month extension beyond December 31, 2025, with a view to ensuring operational continuity while the outcome of the RFP process is finalised and any transition to a new service provider is carefully planned and implemented.
"A structured and orderly transition process is critical in this context to avoid disruption to live operations, data integrity, fan facing functionality and regulatory/commercial commitments tied to the BCCI's digital platforms. Tech Mahindra Limited, however, has maintained its position that any further extension should be for a period of 12 (twelve) months, resulting in a divergence between the parties' respective positions on the tenure of the proposed extension," the note further states.
The note adds, "In light of this, and in order to safeguard the continuity, stability and quality of BCCI's digital operations, BCCI is currently examining and evaluating alternative solutions to address the situation. This includes considering available options within the existing contractual framework, assessing potential interim arrangements with Tech Mahindra Limited, and, as an interim measure, exploring the feasibility of aligning short term operational support with the prospective new service provider identified through the RFP process so that any transition can be phased and coordinated."
