5 best outcomes from Umpire Decision Review System (DRS)

Umpire decision review system has copped a lot of abuse at times from the cricket lovers for aiding some absolute howlers on the field. The BCCI is still sceptical about its utility whereas some players and pundits have openly criticised the DRS.

The debate about DRS’s existence is not going to die anytime soon because we expect technology to be right on the money and any blip on its part is not condoned easily.

However, there have been quite a few occasions where DRS has ensured that the right decision has been made on the cricket field. The main purpose of a decision review system is to eliminate human error with the help of technology and the DRS has fulfilled its promise on a majority of occasions.

In this article, we look at five such instances where DRS has come to the party at a crucial stage of a cricket match and has done justice to its role of a ‘good decision maker’.

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#1 Yuvraj gets Samaraweera: 2011 Cricket World Cup finals: India vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai

In a game, as crucial as the World Cup final, every single wicket is like gold dust. Sri Lanka locked horns with India in the finals of the marquee tournament in 2011. The islanders were looking to consolidate after a quiet start with Mahela Jayawardene, who eventually scored terrific hundred, and Thilan Samaraweera trying to put up a vital partnership.

Man in form Thilan Samaraweera was getting into his groove when Yuvraj Singh caught him in front trying to play the sweep shot. Simon Taufel turned the appeal down as he felt that the ball had struck the batsman outside the off-stump.

Yuvi convinced a reluctant Dhoni to opt for the referral and he was vindicated soon enough. The replays showed that the impact was in line and the ball was going on to hit the stumps. Taufel had to reverse his decision and the Indians were ecstatic to see the back of Samaraweera thanks to UDRS.

#2 Sachin saved by DRS: 2011 Cricket World Cup Semifinals, India vs Pakistan, Mohali

2011 WC Semi Finals, Mohali: Saeed Ajmal thought he had the Master’s wicket

Another one that went India's way in the 2011 World Cup and this involved the God of Cricket himself! It was the all-important semifinal against Pakistan at Mohali and the pressure was on India after they had lost the wicket of Virender Sehwag. Another wicket at that stage, especially that of Sachin Tendulkar, would have tilted the odds heavily in favour of Pakistan.

Tendulkar almost perished after Saeed Ajmal’s flattish off break gripped and caught the master in front of the stumps. He was declared out by the on-field umpire, Ian Gould. To the naked eye, it looked plumb but Sachin asked for a referral.

It was a heart in the mouth stuff for millions of Indian fans as the Hawkeye showed the ball pitching in line but much to their relief, the ball missed the leg stump by centimetres. If the ball would have just barely clipped the leg stump, Sachin would have been a goner since the on-field decision would have remained.

Tendulkar survived and went on to top score for India and played a pivotal role in India’s victory. DRS had once again proved it's worth!

#3 Pietersen almost perishes to Dhoni: India vs England, 1st test, Lord’s, 2011

Dhoni’s joy was shortlived and Pietersen went on to score an unbeaten double hundred

This one didn’t go India’s way. Nothing really went India’s way in the series we are referring to. It was the first innings of the first test of India’s English summer in 2011 and India had already lost their bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan to injury.

Lack of bowling options prompted Dhoni to take a break from his 'keeping duties’ and roll his arm over instead in the post-lunch session of Day 2. Dhoni did the unthinkable by almost dismissing England's premier batsman Kevin Pietersen with one of his wide outswingers. Billy Bowden gave it out at first but KP, who was batting on 73, asked for a review.

To India’s disappointment, replays showed that the bat had actually kissed the pad and there was daylight between the bat and the ball. The decision was overturned and Pietersen went on to score an unbeaten 202.

#4 Debutant du Plessis survives: Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, 2012

Faf Du Plessis survived and went on to save the Adelaide test

Remember THAT historic Adelaide test where the Proteas batted out of their skins to save a test match. Faf Du Plessis made his debut in that game and announced his arrival with a gritty century. Proteas batted for 148 overs to clinch a draw from the jaws of defeat with Du Plessis himself facing 376 balls for his unbeaten 110.

But the fact of the matter is Du Plessis may not have been the saviour for his country if not for DRS. Du Plessis was in his 30s when he was given out, not once but twice, by the on-field umpire but the decisions were overturned courtesy the Decision review system.

The on-field umpire on both occasions was Billy Bowden and Du Plessis was given out lbw twice to Michael Clarke when he was batting on 33 and 37. The first time the ball had pitched outside leg stump and the second time the ball had not even made contact with the pads.

These howlers were indeed eradicated with DRS playing a massive role in this historic test match that displayed the grit and tenacity of the Proteas.

#5 Umar Akmal caught behind: India vs Pakistan, World Cup 2015, Adelaide

Dhoni knew Akmal nicked it and asked for the DRS straightaway

Another India-Pakistan incident finds a mention here. This was the huge opening game for both sides in the 2015 World Cup. Fans from both nations had thronged the Adelaide Oval and the Indian section was particularly thrilled to see their favourite son Virat Kohli score a fine ton against the arch rivals.

The moment we are referring to, came in the second innings when Ravindra Jadeja got a feather edge off Umar Akmal leading to a vociferous appeal from MS Dhoni behind the stumps. The umpire, Richard Kettleborough, was unmoved but Dhoni was confident enough to refer it.

The third umpire, Steve Davis, went through the process and spotted a minute deflection in the Snickometer when the ball moved past the edge.

It was enough to have the on field decision overturned and send Umar Akmal back to the hut. This decision though remains contentious but it was the best possible outcome from India’s point of view. What must be noted here is that a certain protocol was followed by the third umpire before making the bold decision, thereby justifying the effectivity of DRS.