Rahul Dravid, India’s World Cup-winning coach, reflected on his early experiences with the Decision Review System (DRS), which only became a regular part of cricket toward the end of his career. Though the technology was still new, Dravid shared how it left a lasting impression on him.

Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube show ‘Kutti Stories’, Dravid recounted a lighthearted incident involving the system. He described how one particular dismissal left him so puzzled that he began questioning what had actually happened on the field.

In the story, Dravid admitted that had DRS been available to him in that moment, it might have overturned the decision. Interestingly, he revealed that Sachin Tendulkar had advised him against challenging it. Looking back, Dravid humorously acknowledged that trusting his instincts over his partner’s suggestion could have worked in his favor. The anecdote highlighted both his humility and the fun side of learning with evolving technology.

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Rahul Dravid Shared Lighthearted Incident Between Him and Sachin:

The incident took place during the second innings of the Edgbaston Test, where Rahul Dravid was given out caught behind by umpire Simon Taufel. The decision came after a loud noise echoed across the stadium, leading to instant appeals from the fielding side.

Although Dravid felt certain that he had not edged the ball, the sound was so convincing that even he began doubting himself. Standing at the other end, Sachin Tendulkar too believed there had been contact. The unusual situation left Dravid puzzled, as he later reflected that DRS could have changed the outcome of that moment.

He shared, “ There was one time where I regretted not using the DRS. It was during that 2011 tour in England in the Edgbaston Test. I drove Jimmy Anderson, and I heard a noise, like a tuk, but I didn't feel anything on the bat, and sometimes as a batsman, you know it, you feel it. There was a loud noise, but I didn't feel anything on the bat.”

He further said, “ There was a noise, and Simon Taufel was a respected and good umpire; you didn't really challenge him too much when he gave you decisions. He gave me out, and I walked to Sachin and said that I didn't feel anything.”

Even Sachin Tendulkar, known for his sharp judgment, was misled in that moment. He overlooked the slight deviation that produced the sound, leaving both him and Dravid convinced there was an edge. The minor movement deceived everyone present, adding to the unusual twist of the incident.

He added, “ Sachin said, ‘There was a big noise yaar Rahul, I am sure you smashed it.' And I thought maybe yeah, it was one of those things because I heard the noise as well.”

Dravid and Tendulkar Fooled by Shoelace Sound:

Clarity came later when Dravid, having not taken DRS, reviewed the footage from the dressing room. To his relief, it confirmed he was correct—he hadn’t edged the ball. The noise that misled everyone on the field had actually come from his shoelace brushing against the bat, not from any contact with the ball.

He said, “ First thing I walked into the dressing room I said just show me the replay. Initially they showed the replay then the commentators picked up it was that shoelace, the hard part that hit the bat and created the noise, and the ball didn’t touch the bat at all.”

DRS became a regular part of cricket only a few years after Dravid’s retirement, leaving players to adapt to its complexities and nuances. Yet, as shown by the confusion even legends like Dravid and Tendulkar once faced, the system is far from straightforward. With cricket’s unpredictability and unusual moments, mastering DRS decisions may never truly be simple for players or fans alike.