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.
Also Read: 5 worst outcomes from Umpire Decision Review System (DRS)
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’.
#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.