What is UDRS - Umpire's Decision Review System in Cricket?

We all know that in cricket, the on-field umpires have the authorities to make any decision regarding any dismissal or any other query as this is the standard practice in cricket. But sometimes, there may be wrong decisions from the umpires as human errors. One feels that there should always be the scope of scrutiny in the decisions that arise the doubt. Well, there can’t be such a scope for every decision that the umpires make but the ICC has done it to some extent by implementing The UDRS – Umpire’s Decision Review System. It is also called DRS – Decision Review System

Players waiting for the third umpire's decision to be shown on the big screen after a review.

What is the UDRS or DRS system?

The UDRS or DRS system allows a team to review the umpire’s decision if they feel it was incorrect. Teams can do this by referring to the third umpire or the TV umpire after the decision is made by the on-field umpires. There are certain limits within which the teams can take advantage of this system.

In Test matches the DRS system was first time tested between India vs Sri Lanka in 2008. It was officially adopted by the ICC in 2009 in a test match between New Zealand and Pakistan. In One-Day International Matches, it was first time used in a series between Australia and England in 2011. In Twenty20 International matches, it was first time used in India vs Australia match in 2017. The third umpire's conversations with the on-field umpires can now be heard since 2014.  

How DRS is used?

A fielding team can use this system to argue against a “NOT OUT’ decision and a batting team can use this system to argue against an “OUT” decision. The bowling team captain or the batsman being dismissed can make a “T” signal to the umpire if they want to take a review. Reviews can only be taken within 15 seconds after the on-filed umpires make a decision. The reviews can only be used if the criteria of the dismissal are fulfilled; for example, the umpires may check whether the ball is grounded before it is caught or whether a batsman has edge it or not. In such cases, the umpires need to make the soft signal towards the third umpire who can only overturn his soft signal decision only if there are conclusive evidences against it. Otherwise the decision will stay. Likewise, if the ball hits the pads and the LBW dismissal criteria are fulfilled then only the decision can be referred.

When the decisions are referred to the TV umpire, he uses a lot of technologies to determine the final outcome of the decision. Those are explained hereunder:

Components of UDRS system

Apart from the ultra-slow motion replay system, there are some other components used to help this system such as;

Hawk-Eye prediction

The Hawk-Eye illustration from different angles

Hawk-Eye is a system which identifies the path of the ball virtually after it has been hit on the body or the pad of a batsman. This system shows the imaginary trajectory of balls that where it is pitched, its line and the bounce as well. Hawk-eye prediction is so much useful to check the contact of the ball, whether it is in line with the stumps or not.

Snicko Meter or Ultra-edge meter:

Ultra-edge can detect the contact of the ball with bat or pads

Snicko meter also called Ultra-edge can be used to see if the ball has touched the bat or somewhere else. There are tiny microphones placed at the bottom of the stumps which are meant to help this Ultra-edge.

Hot-Spot Technology:

Hot-spot uses thermal imaging based system.

This is an infrared based thermal imaging technology that examines and shows the contact of the ball with the bat or with any other sporting gear of the batsman/player or even his body. It is based on the temperature ranges, as the temperature changes after the balls hits the bats. It is shown by a dot or a patch on the bat or wherever the ball hit. It is called hot spot. 

“Umpires’s call” is a term in this system where it keeps the decision unchanged from that of the original decision by the on-field umpires. The reason of “Umpire’s call” is that the ball may not be certainly in the area where it is hitting such that the original decision could be overturned. The teams would not be losing their review if this system shows “Umpire’s call”.

Advantages & Drawbacks

There are always some advantages and disadvantages of any system, and same has been the case with this system too. It is very good system because it reduces the risk of being victim of wrong decision which can make teams suffer. This system uses technologies such that it completely examine the delivery and point of contact of a ball. 

There are also some disadvantages as this system is not yet 100% sure about it’s components as claimed by many countries as of now. Moreover, some of the legends of the game and experts claim it’s usage as superfluous. Even the legendary umpire Dicky Bird criticized this system, saying that it undermines the authorities of the on-filed umpires.

So, there are always some ifs and buts in any matter especially which attracts a lot of opinions. I personally feel that this system is right choice as far as it shows what is right and what is wrong.

Thanks

Rahul