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✪ Is there a solution if there is an error in judgement by the third umpire too, like it happened in the IPL on Sunday?
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Senior cricket writer & analyst
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Why not return to the old ways where on-field umpires were the sole decision makers? This suggestion may seem odd with everyone now being used to the Decision Review System (DRS) process. When the third umpire too erred during the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings match, one gets the feeling that it’s time to get rid of everything, including the Ultra Edge technology. This was not a one off incident in this IPL. Let humans be the sole judges rather than technology, and may be it might be better than a third umpire giving the verdict sitting in the pavilion.
Devdut Padikkal’s reverse sweep during the match. Photo: Twitter
There was a time when errors in umpiring were accepted as part of the game. The Decision Review System (DRS), TV umpires, and Ultra Edge technology, were all introduced to help on-field umpires take better decisions. During the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings match on Sunday (October 3, 2021) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, when the third umpire too made a mistake, it irked many.
In the eighth over of the match, Devdutt Padikkal went for a reverse sweep, and edged the ball with his gloves. Since the on-field umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan turned down the appeal, Punjab skipper K L Rahul put it up for review. To Rahul’s utter horror, despite a clear spike seen in the ultra-edge, the third umpire K Srinivasan adjudged Padikkal not out.
K.L. Rahul (left) discusses the decision with on-field umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan. Photo: Twitter
Many would have wondered how that could have been given not out especially after the ultra-edge clearly showed a spike? Did the rule change before this IPL match?
As of now, there is no provision in cricket to review a third umpire’s decision. However, it is likely that if many more such erroneous decisions are taken by third umpires, especially after the reviewing process has been seen by fans, then authorities should consider think about it too. New Zealand all-rounder turned commentator Scott Styris had reacted strongly and said that ‘the third umpire be sacked’.
I have always been of the opinion that on-filed umpires should have remained the sole judges of decisions made while the game is on. Technology was introduced to ensure that mistakes don’t happen. But if technology has achieved that purpose, then why not return the powers to the on-field umpires like in the past?
It is a known fact that all batsmen are not sporting like Adam Gilchrist, who always walked if he knew he was out. Padikkal, who hasn’t been around long enough, may have decided not to walk since the on-field umpire, third umpire, as well as the ultra-edge technology had given the verdict in his favour.
When we look back, all these decision-correcting methods were introduced due to lack of trust in an umpire’s skill and even his honesty. It was merely the lack of willingness to accept human decisions. Neutral umpires were introduced to counter the perceived bias by home umpires. But did that help end poor decision making? It did not. The only thing was that those wrong decisions were not considered as biased.
Mistakes in decision making are part of any sport. When a batsman makes a mistake, he gets out. When bowlers make mistakes, they are hit out of the ground or for boundaries. So when umpires too make mistakes, why not accept them and carry on playing. But unlike a batsman or a bowler, we could expect umpires to make fewer mistakes. It’s time we learn to accept that mistakes are part of life and is a part of cricket too.
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