VAR vs DRS: A look into how a post AI world could look.

It’s 3:22pm…

This morning, I woke up a little too late to catch the full drama of what unfolded over in Ranchi, India. By the time I had gotten up India were just 40 runs shy of their target. And the madness of a 5 wicket collapse had been and gone.

England lost, India won. It was a fantastic test match. It ebbed and flowed each way until India managed to- in the end- comfortably get over the line. It’s a case of what could have been for England , who will feel they let India get 50 too many in their first innings. Then subsequently, England fell at least 50 short for their second.

It was the match for youth though, with inexperienced Bashir, Jaiswal and Jurel the stars of the show. India go to show just how much depth they really have in their ranks, promising signs for the future of Indian cricket, ominous for the rest of the world watching on. For England though, this is why it’s so important to play cricket on the sub continent. The likes of the heroic Hartley and the brilliant Bashir, wouldn’t ever get a look in English conditions. With number 1 spinner Jack Leach again having fitness worries, both will feel they have a great chance of taking over the mantle, for the summer.

Speaking of youngsters, plenty of fresh faced talent was on show for The League Cup Final yesterday. I thought it was a fantastic game, with both teams gunning for a win from the kick off. Chelsea, desperate to get a result for the ever under pressure boss Poch the Pooch. Liverpool, wanting to get another piece of silverware for their departing legendary Turkey Teeth Klopp. It finished 0-0 after 90, with Chelsea arguably having the better chances and how they will rue those. Van Dijk eventually (for the second time) broke the deadlock with another brilliant header, cue wonderful scenes from behind that goal. So Liverpool lift the cup, but the game wasn’t without it’s controversy.

Yet again VAR, was in the headlines. Liverpool’s opener in normal time, chalked off for an alleged foul by the offside positioned Endo. I’ve seen every referee come out and defend the decision, saying that the rules have been followed. I have to say that that final statement I agree with, the rules of VAR have been followed. However, at what cost? Every single goal now seemingly has a check, just to make sure that someone’s toenail isn’t offside. But we all wanted this didn’t we? When bad decisions were being made, ‘we have the technology, why not use it!’

Likewise in the cricket, when Joe Root was given out LBW in the early hours of Sunday morning. Conspiracy theories were being chucked around Twitter about how the BCCI we’re manipulating DRS in India’s favour. In fact, what had happened is the pretty little graphic hadn’t lined up properly with the technology, making it seem that the ball had pitched outside leg stump. There have been arguments (mostly from the England side) regarding the DRS’ ‘umpires call’ all series, blaming the technology seems to be becoming the norm.

VAR and DRS in that respect have it’s similarities. Both have had huge question marks over them the last few weeks and how they are used. Both were originally brought in to take away the howler from the lowly human that made the said decision. But now, it has taken over. Marginal calls being sent ‘upstairs’ so another human can watch multiple replays, over and over again, until they have to make the call. Now we have let technology into our sports it’s here to stay. We have let the bear out of the cage, and good luck to the brave soul who’s going to try and shepherd it back in there!

Like Artificial Intelligence, we saw the benefits of introducing it into our everyday lives. Oh look, it can finish my sentence on an email! But the more we use it, the more we let it have control.

It’s like feeding next doors cat, it’s fun for a little while, giving it strokes, a nice bit of company. But then it shits on your doorstep.

Sport Rating 9/10

Technology in Sport Rating 3/10