Contrasting tales in first DRS reviews of India Men and India Women teams

The team India registered an emphatic win over the hosts England Women in their first game of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. The win was a prime example of a complete all round performance from the women in blue. They were firmly led by the record lady Mithali Raj. Mithali hit a belligerent fifty to set the tone for a high score. This fifty was her 7th consecutive ODI fifty.

She was well assisted by the fifties from Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut. While the on field performances are bound to make the headlines, there were a few other highlights in the game. One such historic moment was Mithali Raj taking a review. It was the first ever instance of a review in women’s cricket. Fortunately for team India, the review decision went in favor of them.

The action perspired in the 18th over of the English run chase when Deepti Sharma bowled to Natalie Sciver. Sciver tried to sweep the full ball but ended up edging it. The wicket keeper managed to catch the ball but the on field umpires ruled it not out. Mithali Raj, the Indian skipper, was quick to review the decision. The replays suggested that there was a faint tickle from the gloves of Sciver and the decision was in the favor of the Indian side.

An unsuccessful one for the men’s team

Very contrasting to this, in the history lanes of the men’s cricket, the first review for India’s men’s team was an unsuccessful one. India took their first ever review in a Test match against Sri Lanka at 2008. Playing at Colombo in the first Test, it was Harbhajan Singh who asked for a review in the 46th over of the game in the first innings. Harbhajan bowled to Malinda Warnapura and managed to hit his pads.

The umpire turned down the loud shout. Indians reviewed it. The replays suggested that the ball was on the leg stump and turned down the leg. Umpire Benson gave it not out and stayed with the on field call. Warnapura went on to score 115 in the match as Sri Lanka posted 600/6 decl. India, in their response, bundled out for 223 and 138 in the two innings to lose by an innings and 239 runs.

1st review taken in Men's cricket – India on 24 Jul 2008 (Lost)
1st review taken in Women's cricket – India on 24 Jun 2017 (Won)#WWC17

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 24, 2017