This awesome technology in cricket might surprise you.

  

What is Decision Review System (DRS) ?

According to International Cricket Council (ICC), "DRS is a technology based system, that allows third umpire to use technology to assist the on field umpires with their decision making."

After a review is taken, the third umpire will check all possible forms of dismissal involved.

Types of DRS

1. Player Review 

When is player review taken?

👉 Player review is taken if the batsman or fielding side feels that the decision taken by the umpire is incorrect. It can be taken for LBWs and caught dismissals.

Who takes the player review?

👉 If fielding team decides to take review, the captain must signal to the umpire before allocated time. Likewise, in case of batting team, the batsman has to take the review before the allocated time. The batsman can consult with the non striker batsman but not with anyone on dressing room.

What is the allocated time for taking review?

👉 After the umpire signals his decision, players have 15 seconds to refer the decision to third umpire.

How many reviews can a team take in a match?

👉 A team can take 2 unsuccessful review per inning in a T20I or ODI match. In a test match, a team has 3 unsuccessful reviews per inning to work with. 

In case of a successful review, the team will retain the review. Hence, there is unlimited number of successful reviews in a match.   

Pic: Captain signaling for DRS

( Pic source: Circle of Cricket )

2. Umpire review 

 What is umpire review ?

👉 Umpire review is the use of technology by the umpires to check for run outs, stumpings or the legitimacy of catch taken.

Who can take the umpire review?

👉 Only the on field umpires have authority to go for umpire reviews. Also, only for certain types of dismissals like run out, stumping, caught, umpire review can be taken. 

Is there any time limit to take umpire review?

👉 No, there is no any limited time allocated for umpire review to be taken. Umpires can take their time and give a soft signal before the review.

What is soft signal?

 👉 Soft signal is given by on field umpires before referring to the third umpire. If a catch is taken and it has to be reviewed, on field umpires signal out or not out on the basis of what they feel about the dismissal. In case of inconclusive evidence, soft signal will be the final decision. 

( Gif: Umpire signaling umpire review )

Components / Tools used in DRS

👉 Slow motion replays: Umpire use the slow motion replays from all the slow motion camera angles present in the field. 

👉Infra red cameras: Infra red camera / hotspot shows if there is any contact of bat with the ball. From the infrared cameras kept on either side of the ground, there is detection of even a  slightest edge. After bat comes in contact with ball, hotspot shows a white mark on bat and ball. Thus, umpires can have clear knowledge about the contact and proceed with the decision. 

( Pic: Hotspot )

( Source: Wikipedia )

👉 Edge detection technology: Edge detection technology uses the microphone present on the stump to detect the sound. Microphone is fitted to detect and differentiate the sound came from bat, pad or any other body parts based on the frequency levels of the sound. The two cameras fitted across the ground focuses on the batsman and the edge detector detects the sound and give spikes. 

( Pic: Edge detection technology)

(Source: Quora )

👉Ball tracking: Ball tracking is a tool that helps the umpire to predict the movement of ball after hitting the body of batsman. This technology uses the cameras present on all side of the ground to plot the path of the ball. This technology is used in case of LBW reviews. It shows where the ball is pitching, where the ball hit the batsman and if the ball is hitting the wicket or not. 

( Pic: Ball tracking )

 Umpire's call

   

    In case of LBWs, the on field umpires have to take a decision on their own. Only when the players are not satisfied with the decision, the decision can be reviewed. On ball tracking, if less than 50% part of ball has hit the stumps, the decision will remain the same as on field decision. However, the review of the team will not be affected by umpire's call decision. 

  

  ( Pic: Umpire's call )