Rohit decision adds fuel to technology debate

The absence of the Decision Review System in this Victoria Bitter ODI series has again proved to be a major talking point, with Australia denied a clear wicket at the Gabba this afternoon.

Just three days after a let off for George Bailey shifted the series opener in Australia's favour, the wheel turned when Australia's players - and a vocal Brisbane crowd - were left frustrated at a non-decision during India's innings

In-form Indian batsman Rohit Sharma, fresh from an unbeaten 171 on Tuesday, was cruising on 89 when the home side appealed for a catch behind from the third ball of the 31st over.

Rookie Joel Paris, who had earlier removed Shikhar Dhawan for 6 to register his first international wicket, lured Rohit forward and appeared to find the edge through to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, with Australia's close fielders appealing in unison and running towards the pitch to celebrate what they thought was a clear dismissal.

But Australian umpire Mick Martell shook his head, much to the obvious frustration of the home side, and a large portion of the 25,000-strong crowd already in the Gabba at that stage soon joined in the outcry when replays showed significant movement on Real Time Snicko as the ball went past Rohit's bat.

Watch: Lucky Rohit survives contentious call

The Board of Control for Cricket in India remain firm in their stance against the DRS in its current form, meaning the system isn't available for any bilateral series they are involved in.

Australia had been the beneficiary of the absence of DRS during their victory in the opening match on Tuesday, with Bailey given not out from the first ball he faced despite replays showing he had gloved the ball behind.

The Tasmanian went on to score 112 in Australia's record-breaking run chase at the WACA Ground, with the non-decision turning out to be the turning point of the match.

Indian captain MS Dhoni repeated his opposition to the technology in Perth and suggested – with a smile on his face – that tight decisions "may" go against India due to their rejection of the system.

When the question was posed that the Bailey non-decision had changed the course of the match, Dhoni responded: "It could have, but at the same time we need to push the umpires to take the right decision. You have to see how many 50-50 decisions don't go in our favour. If it always happens, then you have to take it. But I'm still not convinced about DRS."

The 34-year-old was pressed further on the matter, asked by one reporter if he felt India "almost get punished for not using the DRS and umpires might go the other way if it is a 50-50 call".

This question drew a beaming smile from Dhoni, who replied: "I may agree with you, I may agree with you."

The DRS has been the centre of controversy at times during the summer, notably during the Adelaide Test against New Zealand when a repreive handed to Australian tail-ender Nathan Lyon - which the ICC later conceded was an error - turned the match in the home side's favour.

There was confusion, too, during the Hobart Test against the West Indies, when a not out LBW decision was upheld despite the Eagle Eye ball-tracking technology showing a significant portion of the ball to be hitting the stumps.

That ruling was labelled "ridiculous" by Shane Warne on Channel Nine's commentary while former Australia and Netherlands quick Dirk Nannes was equally as confused.

"It just has to be out," Nannes said at the time on ABC Grandstand.

"I trust the technology on this one; I think that's exactly where the ball was going.

"It's the rules that govern the interpretation of whether it's out or not that are incorrect in this one. It was going to smash leg stump."