What Is DRS In Cricket?

Gone are those days when players or fans leave the field completely unsatisfied with the umpire's decisions. Since being introduced in 2008, the DRS has made cricket even more intriguing by adding more strategy and drama to the game. Known as the Decision Review System, with an abbreviation DRS, it reduces umpiring errors by helping umpires make fairer decisions. 

As a crucial part of modern cricket, understanding how DRS works in cricket is important. That's why we've created this blog to help readers understand the technology behind the Decision Review System, how it works, and when it can be used.

DRS Full Form - Decision Review System

While it might not eradicate poor decisions entirely, it has reduced them to the barest minimum. For fans or bettors new to cricket betting, the DRS is one of the terms they must know because it determines many outcomes in cricket.  

To put it simply, the DRS meaning cricket is “Decision Review System.” It is a technology-based system that helps on-field umpires make the most accurate decisions. It allows teams to challenge on-field decisions they believe are incorrect. 

The DRS was introduced to eliminate the “Howler" from the game. The ICC adopted it to remove the obvious massive mistakes that used to haunt cricket. The introduction of the DRS not only improved fairness in the game but also added a new level of strategy for most teams. Captains can gamble to use their reviews early or wait until the crucial stage late in the game. As a result, it has added a whole new drama to the game.

When Was DRS Introduced in Cricket?

Controversy has always been a part of cricket, especially around the Leg Before Wicket (LBW) rule. This was because umpires had to make a judgment on whether the ball would have gone to hit the stumps if it didn't hit the batter's body. The introduction of the Decision Review System has eliminated this guess to the barest minimum.

First trialled in July 2008, the DRS was used during a Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo. After a successful trial, the ICC officially adopted it in 2009 and has been a central part of all international formats, including T20 and ODI, ever since. It was accepted for ODIs from 2011, but India didn't use it in their matches until 2016 due to concerns about the accuracy of the ball-tracking technology.

Over time, the technology has been refined with the addition of Ultra Edge to improve the old Snickometer. The accuracy of the Hawkeye has also improved. 

How Does DRS Work in Cricket?

The Decision Review System was set up to protect both batting and bowling teams. As a result, both teams have the right to request a review based on the Umpire's decision. However, each team receives 2-3 reviews per innings, depending on the match format.

When an on-field umpire makes a decision or refuses to give a call, the batter or fielding captain can signal for a review within 15 seconds of the decision. They do this by making a “T” shape with their hands. Then the third umpire, who sits in a booth with multiple screens, checks the decisions using multiple technologies. 

After checking, three outcomes are possible.

1. Unsuccessful Review: If the third umpire confirms the original on-field decision to be correct, the team loses one review for that innings. 

2. Successful Review: If the third umpire confirms the original decision was wrong, it will be overturned, and the team keeps the review. 

3. Umpire’s Call: If the technology showed that the ball was barely clipping the stumps, the original on-field decision stands. It's called an Umpire's Call, but teams don't lose their reviews for that. 

DRS Technologies - Hawk-Eye, Ultra Edge, Hot Spot

The Decision Review System relies on three pieces of technology. The third umpire, sitting in the booths, uses the following technologies to achieve more accurate results. 

• Hawk-Eye (Ball Tracking): Used to track the ball's flight, the Hawk-Eye technology uses multiple high-speed cameras on the pitch to predict where the ball would've gone. It's particularly helpful to get more accurate LBW Out decisions. The technology shows where the ball hits the ground (pitching), where it hits the batter's pad (impact), and where it would've gone if it hadn't hit the batter (wicket).

• UltraEdge/Snickometer: This technology uses sound waves to detect faint edges on the bat. Sensitive microphones are attached to both ends of the pitch to pick up the high-frequency click of the ball hitting the bat. For LBW, it's used to determine whether the ball touches the bat before the pad. It also works for Caught Behind to see if the batter caught an edge. A flat line that spikes will be displayed if the ball touches the bat.

• Hot Spot: It detects heat and shows heat marks where the ball makes contact using infrared cameras. If the ball hits the bat, friction will generate heat, appearing as a bright white spot on the black-and-white negative image. However, Hot Spot is no longer commonly used because it is expensive. 

How Many DRS in Test, ODI & T20 Cricket?

The number of DRS reviews each team gets varies by format. The good part is that reviews are allocated to each team per innings. As already revealed, each side has 2-3 reviews per innings, depending on the format. Here is a breakdown per cricket format.

Test Cricket has the highest reviews for each team because the innings can last for two days. This can allow more human errors to impact the game. 

As already mentioned, a team will only lose a review if the on-field umpire's decision is sustained. If the third umpire overturns the decision, the team gets the review back. When it's inconclusive from the third umpire, it becomes the Umpire's Call, and the team gets the review back as well.

Another crucial aspect to note is that reviews cannot be rolled over. If a team doesn't exhaust their allocated reviews in the first innings, they cannot carry over any leftovers into the second innings. They'll get a fresh number of reviews for the second innings, depending on the format.

DRS Rules - When Can You Review?

The batter or fielding captain is only allowed to signal a review in specific moments. In other words, fans or bettors who want to bet on cricket on bookmakers like 1xBet must understand that not every decision can be reviewed. Here are a few decisions that may be subject to review. 

• LBW Decisions: To determine if the ball was going to hit the stumps or if it hit the bat first.

• Stumped: To check if the batter had a foot behind the line. 

• Caught Behind/Bat-pad Catches: To check if the ball touched the ground before being caught or to see if the batter nicked the ball before touching the pad. 

To provide a more balanced context, here are some decision types a player cannot signal for review.

• No balls: The third umpires now check this automatically.

• Timed out/Handled the ball: The on-field umpire handles this.

• Byes or leg byes: Not allowed

• Wide balls: Leagues like the Indian Premier League now allow this, but it is not yet accepted internationally.

• Run outs: The on-field umpire informs the third umpire to review it if needed.

• Boundary checks: Automatic reviews to see if the fielder touched a rope while holding the ball.

• Clean catches: If the umpire is unsure whether the ball carried or hit the ground first.

• Height of a no ball: The on-field umpire could inform the booth to check if the beamer was above the waist.

Famous DRS Moments in Cricket History

The cricket world has seen many moments where DRS had to intervene to confirm and overturn decisions. There have been many decisive moments, some of which have led to World Cup triumphs. Here are some of the most famous DRS moments in cricket history.

• Sachin Tendulkar vs. Pakistan (World Cup Semi-Final, 2011)

India won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, but not without drama in the semifinals against Pakistan. Sachin Tendulkar rode his luck after he was given OUT LBW by Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal. While everyone expected the OUT to be confirmed after Tendulkar reviewed, it was overturned. The DRS technology showed that the projection of the ball was missing leg stump.

• Usman Khawaja Ghost Edge at Old Trafford in 2013

It was the 3rd Test of the 2013 Ashes series between England and Australia, as Usman Khawaja was given out caught behind. When he signalled for a review, Hot Spot showed no heat mark on the bat, and replays showed a wide gap between the bat and the ball. However, third umpire Kumar Dharmasena still upheld the decision with claims of a faint noise on the stump mic. This became a major controversy and prompted the ICC to develop the more accurate UltraEdge, which is used today.

• Ben Stokes in England vs Australia at Headingley in 2019

Australia were left furious, having no more reviews at the crucial moment in the 3rd Test of The Ashes 2019 between England and Australia. Nathan Lyon hit Ben Stokes on the pad, but the umpire called NOT OUT. Unfortunately, Australia had signalled reviews two times (Test matches had 2 unsuccessful reviews per innings at the time), used them all, and had none left to check this. However, the ball tracking showed that the ball was going to smash the middle of the stumps. Stoke stayed in to win it for England by hitting the winning runs on the very next ball.