ICC makes three important changes to DRS protocol, know these updates

The latest India vs England series saw plenty of criticism when it came to umpiring. From the umpire’s call to soft signals, the decision-making of the umpires was under immense scrutiny. The Tests saw plenty of criticism regarding the umpire’s call on the DRS. The ODIs and T20Is saw controversy over the soft signal judgment of the umpire. In order to rectify these errors, the ICC Cricket Committee have made three major changes to the DRS protocol.

The Cricket Committee, led by former India spinner Anil Kumble, decided to keep the Umpire’s call. In addition, these were the three changes. For LBW reviews, the height margin of the wicket zone has been lifted to the top of the stumps. This was made to ensure the same umpire’s call margin would remain around the stumps for both height and width. A player can now ask the umpire whether a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball before deciding to review an LBW decision. The third umpire will check a replay of any short-run that has been called.

Speaking about the decision, Kumble said, “The Cricket Committee had an excellent discussion around Umpire’s Call and analysed its use extensively. The principle underpinning DRS was to correct clear errors in the game whilst ensuring the role of the umpire as the decision maker on the field of play was preserved, bearing in mind the element of prediction involved with the technology. Umpire’s Call allows that to happen, which is why it is important it remains.”

Kohli fumes at umpiring

In the fourth Twenty20 International in Ahmedabad, there was controversy. Suryakumar Yadav ramped a length ball to deep fine leg and Dawid Malan slid forward to take the catch. There was uncertainty about the catch. The third umpire was consulted. However, before the referral, the soft signal, which is based on the on-field umpires’ intuition, was out. Multiple replays were shown but there was no inconclusive evidence to overturn the decision. The original decision remained out and that drew massive criticism.

After the match, Virat Kohli was furious over the dismissal of Suryakumar. “The soft signal becomes that important and it becomes tricky. I don’t know why there can’t be an ‘I don’t know’ call with the umpires as well. It is similar to the umpire’s call as well. These are decisions that can change the course of the game, especially in these big games. We were on the receiving side today, and tomorrow it could be some other team. You want these ironed out and keep the game really simple and linear. It isn’t ideal in high-pressure games and we want a lot of clarity on the field,” Kohli said.