Rahul Dravid

London: Rahul Dravid admitted that his caught-behind decision to Andrew Flintoff was right, though the Indian captain had earlier said that he had not edged the ball.

Having seen the television replays, Dravid conceded: “I didn’t feel it (the inside edge) but when I came back and had a look again, the technology suggested that I had nicked it and I have to accept it. Maybe, I didn’t feel it but I can’t argue with the snickometer.”

Dravid however said the decision against Sachin Tendulkar cost India dearly in the deciding ODI against England on Saturday. He also promised that he would include his observations on umpiring in the captain’s report.

Umpire Aleem Dar’s dubious decision cut short Sachin’s stint at the crease and he returned to the pavilion with just 30 runs to his credit in his final appearance at Lord’s.

“Sachin has been in good form and he was really batting well. We needed a big partnership but that didn’t happen. We’ve had some poor decisions and it’s disappointing when decisions don’t go your way in a close series such as this one,” Dravid said.

“We have the ICC’s review committee that makes note of these things. Besides, there is the captain’s report that I will submit,” he said.

The Indian captain said he was against the use of technology in the game because it was not good enough yet. “Technology is just not good enough at the moment. It’s not good for fine edges, snicks or leg before decisions. But it can be used for line decisions and that’s where it should stay,” he said.

Dravid said that Flintoff was “half the England team”.

“He’s absolutely critical to England in Test or one-day cricket. He is half of their side, to be honest,” Dravid said.

“He makes a big difference to England just because of the composition of the team they can put out and with his impact as a first change bowler, slip fielder and batsman. It’s pretty obvious he makes a huge difference to England.”