What is Decision Review System?

The powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) frowned, so the International Cricket Council (ICC) has agreed to make only a modified version of the Decision Review System (DRS) mandatory in all international matches.

So what is the DRS? Based on technology, the DRS gives cricketers an opportunity to challenge decisions taken by on-field umpires.

According to the DRS, if at any point in the game a cricketer feels a decision taken by an umpire is incorrect or doubtful, the fielding captain or the batsman can challenge it by signaling a 'T' with their hands.

The Third Umpire, also known as the TV umpire, then reviews the decision by cross-checking video footage supported by various technologies. The technologies used are: ball-tracker, sound technology and thermal imaging, besides the many cameras used.

And if the third umpire is not convinced about a decision, he can refer it back to the on-field umpire.

Despite growing support, the BCCI and some Indian cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, were reluctant to use the DRS. The BCCI had objections to the authenticity of the ball-tracking technology, which members felt was not 100% error-free.

The DRS was also used in this year's World Cup, which India won.

On Monday, the ICC's chief executives' committee decided to make the system mandatory with some modifications. They are:

1. The ICC has agreed to include infra-red cameras and audio-tracking devices.

2. Further independent and expert research will be carried out into ball-tracking technology and its accuracy and reliability.

3. The continued use of ball-tracking technology as a decision-making aid will depend on bilateral agreement between the participating Members.

4. The number of unsuccessful reviews in ODIs has been reduced from two to one.


AGAINST DRS

"I am not against DRS, but I feel it will be more effective with the support of the Snickometer and Hot Spot technology. This will give more consistent results," Sachin had said in a recent interview.

West Indies legend Joel Garner had called the DRS "a gimmick" and claimed it is "not working".

Indian skipper Dhoni said: "Adulteration of technology with human thinking is bad."

FOR DRS

"I am a big fan of the DRS," Virender Sehwag said.

"I think what it has done .... is that it has increased the consistency of umpiring so I am a fan of it but I know there are some negative views of it within India," Gary Kirsten, former India coach, said.