Top 5 DRS decision that changed the course of a cricket match

The Umpire Decision Review System in cricket was put in place by the International Cricket Council to reduce the blunders made by on-field umpires. India and Sri Lanka were the first teams to play in a match with the DRS in place.

Ever since its inception, the system has drawn praises and criticism in equal measure. India is the only country which is still not convinced with the system and have been sceptical about using it after their miserable results in the first attempt against Sri Lanka, in 2008.

Although over the years there have been many modifications made to the technology, which includes ball-tracking and the hotspot, there are still a few redundant flaws that have prevented the system from being foolproof.

The DRS has also had its own share of controversies, as some decisions have changed the course of the match. Here, in this list, we take a look at 5 of the biggest controversial decisions that have had a significant impact on the eventual outcome of the game.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar vs Pakistan in Mohali 2011

Sachin Tendulkar scrapped his way to 85

India vs Pakistan is considered by many as the mother of all clashes in cricket. The stakes are further increased when the two neighbours clash in any ICC event, and over the years India has managed to outsmart Pakistan on 8 occasions in World events.

Hence, when India met Pakistan in Mohali during the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup, the stage was set for another humdinger. Virender Sehwag got the things rolling as he smacked Umar Gul for 5 consecutive boundaries.

But it was the day when Sachin Tendulkar rode his luck and scrapped his way to a streaky knock of 85 runs. Sachin got reprieves on as many as 6 occasions during the entire innings. However, the most controversial one came when he was on 23 and was facing Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan off-spinner. Ajmal bowled a flat delivery which pitched and turned in to beat Sachin's attempted flick on the leg side. He was hit on the pads and was adjudged LBW by umpire Ian Gould. After discussing with Gautam Gambhir, Tendulkar asked for the review.

The ball tracking technique showed that the ball would have missed the leg stump, and thus India got a massive reprieve. Sachin went on to score 85 runs, even as Ian Gould was visibly upset with the reversal, and India eventually won the match by 29 runs.