IPL 2023 : IPL to introduce DRS for wide and no-ball calls after Women's Premier League
The players will be able to challenge the umpire's decision regarding a no-ball or a wide in IPL 2023, the rule which is being followed in the Women's Premier League. Already, the rule has been utilised in each of the three games that have taken place in the inaugural WPL.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) has brought about a drastic change in the rules, in addition to scripting history and bringing forward some young Indian local names. For the first time in a T20 tournament (international or domestic), players can review on-field calls for wides and no-balls by umpires and challenge them using the Decision Review System (DRS). Now according to reports, this rule will extend to the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and men's IPL players will also be eligible to benefit from this rule.
According to a report, teams will be able to use their scheduled reviews to challenge umpire's outs as well as wides and no-balls in both the WPL and IPL.
The WPL's playing conditions state, "A player may request a review of any decision made by the on-field umpires, with the exception of a 'time out' (player review). A review of any decision is allowed." In the inaugural edition of the WPL, this rule has been used in each of the three matches so far. In the opening match of the tournament, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur used the review to challenge a wide call by the umpire after spinner Saika Ishaq's ball hit the batsman's gloves. On Sunday, in the day's play, Delhi Capitals' Jemimah Rodrigues used the review to challenge a delivery that appeared to be waist high, but the TV umpire stuck with the on-field call because the batter was crouching.
In the evening game, the rule was used twice and the second time decisively. First, Gujarat Giants skipper Sneh Rana used a second-ball review to challenge a wide call at the crucial stage of the match against UP Warriors. Replays showed it was a tight call but the TV umpire stuck with the on-field call and the Warriors got the crucial wide call. A few balls later, the umpire did not give a wide before Grace Harris challenged the decision and took a crucial extra ball to add a run to her team's total before guiding her side to victory.
It will also be a relief for captains in the IPL, who have been frustrated by the umpire's calls in the past. Be it Rishabh Pant and Co, who were not happy with the no-ball call in the game against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2022 or MS Dhoni in IPL 2019, against the same opposition. In both cases, Pant and Dhoni charged onto the field before the on-field call was stopped.