International Cricket Council (ICC) new rule to review the on field umpire’s decision has raised an unending debate around the world. It has been criticizing vehemently for its diminishing approach towards the status of on-field umpires. 

The ongoing “change spree” in the cricket has not spared the umpires’ reigning world too. After the twenty20 format of cricket, ICC has all set to bring a change in  umpire’s state and status and for this it has suggested a new rule  to review the on- field umpire’s decision on the plea of players. As per this new rule the on- field umpire’s decision can be reviewed second time by the TV umpire, if the player or the captain of the bowling team so desires. Once reviewed by the TV umpire, the decision will be binding on the players and the on- field umpire will have to forgo his decision.

Each team can raise three review requests against the on- field umpire decision but if the review plea is not met by the TV umpire then the appealing team will get another chance. This new rule has been proposed to implement in the scheduled India- Sri Lanka Test Series which will start from July 23 in Colombo.

The history of cricket is full of evidences when umpires decisions came under sharp reactions or criticism. There were times when the decisions were forcibly binding on the players that created controversies. And in order to get rid of on- field umpires’ disputed decisions, this rule has been suggested by the ICC.  There are situations when an umpire finds it difficult to determine the case like during a close catch or LBW. In such situations the proposed TV umpire will take a close scrutiny to reach to the decision.

Though the new rule seems raising the standard of umpiring in cricket but one must not overlook the other possible entanglements of the rule. Our umpires still are just the dummies but having implemented this rule will create a prestige crisis in their business. No doubt the rule will further diminish the image and status of on-field umpires. The umpires will surely feel humiliated if the TV umpire goes against their decisions.
 
The rule has also been criticizing for its mechanical approach. Critics are here on to say that though technology gives accurate details but like human resource in umpiring, it is also not fully reliable. The different angles will provide different shoots, and so the uncertainty of result.

Another reason for slamming this rule is that it is spoiling the soul of cricket. It is really a revolutionary change in cricket that making an umpire nothing but a puppet of the show.  

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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