What DRS Mean in Cricket?

A Decision Review System (DRS) is a technology-based system that helps the on-field umpires to improve their ability to make sound decisions. In that capacity, DRS ensures that decisions are made in the most possible transparent manner. When a team chooses a DRS, they challenge the decision of the on-field umpire. The third umpire then investigates the incident using all the available resources like slow-motion cameras, infra-red cameras, edge detection, and ball tracking.

History of DRS 

Although ICC officially launched the system in 2009 during the opening Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Dunedin, it was first used in a Test match between India and Sri Lanka in 2008. Meanwhile, DRS was introduced in the ODI format in 2011 and Twenty20 Internationals in 2017. 

How to Signal a DRS?

The challenging team has 15 seconds to decide whether or not to request a review after the on-field umpire has made his decision. The captain of the team, who challenges the decision will need to make a "T" sign with his hands to call for a review inside the allowed time. If the captain fails to signal for the DRS within the specified time, the umpire has the right to revoke the request. Additionally, the umpire will also deny a review injunction if they believe that the challenging team has got any information from someone who is not present on the field.

Steps involved in DRS

1. Once the third umpire is consulted for a review, the investigation starts with determining the legality of the delivery first. If the bowler overstepped the no-ball line, the business ends there, and if not, the umpire proceeds with the remaining components, depending upon the kind of dismissal. 

2. The third umpire will further examine the delivery through ultra-edge and HotSpot to determine whether the ball has touched the bat or not when a team calls for an LBW or catch. 

3. Now, in case of an appeal for LBW, If the ball didn’t hit the bat, then the umpire uses the Hawkeye view to track the ball to assess the delivery further.

4. The player will walk off the field if the ball is pitched in line and projected to hit the stumps. If not, the player will continue to play. 

What is an Umpire’s Call?

The Umpire's call got introduced by ICC in 2016. It was done to support the on-field umpires in their decision-making and give them the benefit of the doubt in case of marginal LBW calls. The umpire call rule states that the decision of the bowler end umpire will stand if the ball tracking indicates a marginal call in impact or wicket zone. Meanwhile, in case of an umpire calls, the team who challenges the decision will not lose the review.   

“Umpire’s Call is the concept within the DRS under which the on-field decision of the bowler’s end umpire shall stand, which shall apply under the specific circumstances set out in paragraphs 3.4.5 and 3.4.6 of Appendix D, where the ball-tracking technology indicates a marginal decision in respect of either the Impact Zone or the Wicket Zone.”