DRS Full Form in Cricket

DRS Full Form in Cricket: Cricket is a sport with lot of nuances as even a slight incident can make or break the game for teams. Therefore it is extremely essential that the decisions made by on field umpires regarding foul, wickets , run-outs, catch-outs during crucial moments in the matches be error free and DRS is a tool that helps us achieve this . DRS has helped us to reduce the margin of human error, making the game more reliable, for the fans as well as the players. DRS full form is Decision Review System and it is a tool that uses many technological components to help on-field umpires in making accurate decisions. This article explores the various components of DRS, its working and how it has impacted Cricket over the years. Please go through this article for further details and keywords about DRS.

DRS Full Form in Cricket:

Decision Review System aka DRS is a tool that has had huge impact on cricket after its usage in 2008. DRS helps in making more accurate decisions on the field during crucial moments of matches aka it basically it helps the umpires, present on the field during the match to make error free decisions and helps in reducing controversies and accusations of unfairness on the part of umpires. DRS has helped tackle the accusations of “match-fixing” in the game of cricket, as people trust a technological tool to be unbiased and accurate, more than a human making decisions. All the important functions, uses and impact of DRS are discussed in the article below, please go through them for more detailed information.

What is DRS?

DRS is a technology reliant system that helps cricket players to request a review of decisions made by on-field umpires. Batters and fielding teams on field can request a review for LBW (Leg before wicket) or caught dismissals, if they don’t feel satisfied with the umpire’s decision or if the feel it was an unfair decision.

DRS is not just limited to the cricket players, even the on-field umpires can use it to review a run out or inconclusive catch, in which case the Third Umpire helps them in making an accurate decision.

Components of DRS:

The Decision Review system consists of the following key components, which makes the DRS system a tool that can make precise and accurate decisions:

Ball Tracking Technology:

This aspect of DRS helps in tracking the trajectory, swing, spin of the ball and tracks the ball movement from the bowler’s hand to the point of contact with the batter on field. Decisions relating to LBW (Leg Before Wicket) and caught-behind dismissals are made easier and more accurate by the ball tracking technology as it uses multiple cameras to track the ball.

Hot Spot:

To accurately assess and analyze the impact of the ball on the batsman’s body or equipment, this hot spot technology comes handy as it takes the aid of infrared cameras to clearly see temperate variations on the bat or the pad.

Snickometer:

This component of the DRS utilizes sound sensors to detect small sounds when the ball touches the bat or pad. It is especially useful for identifying faint edges.

Hawk-Eye:

This is also a kind of ball tracking technology that can accurately predict the trajectory ball will take and its potential impact on the stumps. It particularly helps in making LBW decisions.

Umpire’s Call:

It is a very important aspect of the DRS. Umpire’s call allows the umpire’s present on field decision to stand, if the technology says that the decision is within a certain margin of error, thereby validating the skill of the umpire.

History of DRS:

DRS was initially called Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) when it was first introduced in 2008 during the India vs Sri Lanka Test match in Colombo during which Indian opener Virender Sehwag became the first batter to be given out under the DRS system. After being introduced in test crickets, DRS began to be used in ODI from 2011 and T20Is in 2017, after the successful results it showed during test matches.

Before the use of DRS umpires on field had to rely on their instincts to make decisions during matches. However, because of human infallibility leading to incorrect decisions, many controversies arose leading to many players and fans questioning the integrity of the game as they were unsatisfied with many decisions of the umpire and this led to the era of DRS being used in cricket.

How does DRS function?

When a team decides to review an umpire’s decision, they signal to the third umpire, the one with the access to all the DRS technology. The third umpire reviews the footage available to them and uses the technological data collected from various components of DRS to make a more accurate assessment of the decision. If there is enough evidence to overturn the on-field decision, then the decision is changed. If there not enough evidence, then on-field decision of the umpire stands and is carried to fruition.

Impact of DRS on cricket: Benefits and Challenges:

Benefits/ Advantages of DRS:

1. Fair decisions:

Technology undoubtedly helps one in making the most accurate, error free decisions, hence DRS with its various technological components as we have seen above, helps the umpires in making a fair decision during crucial moments of the matches. Earlier umpires used to rely on instincts for their decision and that led to many instances of uproar from fans and players and controversies during matches regarding the fairness of umpires decision so the DRS has certainly helped cricket in that aspect a lot.

2. Lessen the on-field aggressions between players:

Players usually lose their calm and become aggressive , when they are unsatisfied with a decision or feel wronged. DRS has really helped in reducing the tension between players and teams by a lot, because now they can ask for the review of a decision they are unsatisfied with. The game can run smoothly now without any fights , thanks to DRS.

3. Dramatic/ Suspenseful moments to hype up matches:

Teams and players using the DRS reviews strategically has helped in building up the suspense of the decision and result of the reviews, so much so that the drama has become an important part of modern day cricket. DRS has made cricket matches more exciting.

4. Transparency of the game:

DRS has helped the players and team trust the game more, as they trust the accuracy of the technology used in DRS. Their faith in the integrity of the game has been restored and moreover people have gotten more educated about the intricacies of cricket, the rules, and every little component that makes the game thanks to DRS and its technological components.

Challenges of DRS:

While DRS has been greatly advantageous to cricket, its not without its fair share of controversies. The accuracy of the technology used in DRS aka the technological components, the use of ball-tracking in LBW decisions, and the discretion of the third umpire have been subjects of debate among people. The following can be seen as challenges of DRS:

1. Disrespecting on-field umpire:

The more the players become reliant on DRS, the more the on-field umpire loses their importance. Not only have some umpires felt humiliated by usage of DRS by players during the game because it directly questions the their integrity and skills but also continued over-reliance on DRS will lead to players not having any respect for the decision of the umpire which is meant to hold the highest order in this game.

2. Debates on reliability of DRS:

As stated earlier, many have questioned the accuracy of the technology of DRS, and said that like every other technology the DRS system is also bound to have a glitch aka it is not infallible.

3. Expensive:

It has been said that the DRS technology is expensive. We find that the usage of DRS in a single test cricket match will cost $60,000 and since all boards do not make that much money from test crickets and ODIs, it will be difficult to afford it for all the matches for everyone.

4. Limited Reviews:

It is important to note that the DRS system will have to be kept in limits or else we will have the players continually calling for reviews that will cost extra time, on top of humiliating the umpire on field and making them feel useless.

Conclusion:

The DRS has had an immense impact on modern cricket, with its cutting edge technology bringing more accuracy and fairness to the game with the help of its key technological components like ball tracking technology, hawk eye, hot spot etc. , that have helped umpires in avoiding controversies during critical decision making. The DRS has helped in adding drama and excitement to the matches, and educated fans and players alike about the intricacies of the game of cricket. While it may not be without its challenges, DRS has undeniably helped in upholding the integrity of the game of cricket and restored the faith of players and fans towards the game. The DRS is definitely a boon for cricket, despite having a few shortcomings and will definitely help the sport reach newer heights with more technological improvements.

FAQ’s on DRS:

What does DRS stand for cricket?

DRS stands for Decision Review System, and was first brought in to cricket in 2008. It enables players to challenge decisions made by the on-field umpires in case they feel unsatisfied with the umpire’s decision.

In which year DRS was introduced in cricket?

The DRS was first used in 2008 in Test cricket during India’s series against Sri Lanka, where Virender Sehwag became the first international player to be given out under the review system.

How many times can you use DRS in cricket?

Earlier, each team had 3 unsuccessful DRS challenges, but that was later reduced to 2 per innings in Test cricket and 1 per innings in ODIs and T20Is. Successful challenges allow teams to retain a DRS challenge at any point. Challenges left from the first innings of a Test do not carry over to the second innings.

Who can ask for DRS in cricket?

On-field batters or fielding teams can opt for DRS for LBW or caught mode of dismissals if they feel they have been hard done by a wrong call,

Who was the first person given out by DRS?

Virender Sehwag became the first player to be given out after the on-field umpire’s decision was overturned by the use of DRS.