'Soon onfield umpires will become history' - Fans react as players can take reviews for wides and no-balls in WTL and ITL

Indian T20 League (Source: Twitter)

Technology is advancing day by day in every industry and the same is the case in cricket. For the first time in a cricket league, players are allowed to review wide and no-ball decisions using Decision Review System (DRS). This change may diminish the part of the umpire, but it is definitely a welcome change for the game. The ongoing Women's T20 League (WTL) is the first competition to introduce this rule and the upcoming Indian T20 League will also implement it.

Until now, players could only review on-field decisions for dismissals, but from now on in WTL and ITL, players can review wides and no-balls decisions taken by the on-field umpire. These reviews will be a part of the two unsuccessful reviews that each team is entitled to per innings, and the captain/players will have to challenge the decision before it 'times out'. However, leg-by decisions cannot be reviewed using the DRS method.

Mumbai and Delhi already used the new feature in WTL

The new feature has already been used in WTL's first two games. In the tournament opener between the Mumbai franchise and the Gujarat franchise, a delivery from Mumbai spinner Saika Ishaque was called a wide by the on-field umpire. But skipper Harmanpreet Kaur used DRS to review the decision, which was overturned as replays showed the ball had brushed the Gujarat batter Monica Patel's glove.

In the second match of the tournament, Delhi batter Jemimah Rodrigues also used such a review against Bangalore. Rodrigues hit a full toss from Megan Schutt for four and saw the umpire had not signalled a no-ball for height. She took a review using DRS, however, the decision was not overturned as replays and ball-tracking showed the ball was dipping on the batter and she had also crouched slightly.

Last year in the ITL, there was a controversial incident in the last over-finish involving Rajasthan and Delhi. Delhi batter Rovman Powell pulled Obed McCoy's full toss for a six, but the umpires did not signal for a waist-high no-ball. It was a hot topic as many thought the umpire would give a signal no-ball and Delhi lost in a thrilling contest.

However, there were mixed reactions on Twitter, with some welcoming the new change and others saying it diminishes the role of umpires in cricket.

This is not a Good Rule because If Players Can take reviews for Wides and no-balls then what is the need of Umpire in Cricket? This would be a worst rule.

— Ravishankar Kumar (@Ravishankar1803) March 6, 2023

Soon the onfield umpires will be history.

— Vipul Shah (@vips1031) March 6, 2023

Work load of 3rd umpire and remuneration got increased.

— Prasad Mani (@imPrasadMani) March 6, 2023

very good decision by bcci because one no ball or wide ball changes the whole equation

— Satya Parmar🚩 (@SatyaPARMAR17) March 6, 2023

Means Rovman Powell Rishabh Pant incident will not happen again

— Kushal (@KushalC2703) March 6, 2023

Umpires shivering already 😁

— Karthick Ramalingam (@KarthickRam1101) March 6, 2023

Credit goes to rishabh pant 🙇🏻😀

— Raghav Chechani (@01__raghav) March 6, 2023

Too much time consuming.

— Saif Khan (@saifkhan19171) March 6, 2023

What is the use of umpires then. Seriously?

— ravi kandu (@kandu_ravi) March 6, 2023