Kumble headed committee recommends the ICC not to make any changes to umpire’s call rule
The umpire’s call rule has been a matter of debate in the cricketing world. Some of the leading names in the world of cricket, including Indian skipper Virat Kohli, have lent their opinion on the issue. The umpire’s call has caused a lot of confusion as there is a lot riding on the on-field umpire’s call. And, so many LBW decisions have come under the spotlight.
The one area of concern in the umpire’s call rule is, the same delivery can be declared out, as well as not out, depending upon the call that the on-field umpire has made. In fact, umpire Nitin Menon had lent his thoughts on the matter.
Menon was of the view that any umpire’s call decision is made only in situations when a particular decision can go both ways. Adding that the decision is not a perfect one that can be overturned, Menon opined that it is a decision that is ‘50-50’ in nature. Menon concluded by stating that since technology is not 100% correct, the umpire’s call is surely needed.
“First of all, the umpire’s call is regarding decisions which are very close, the decisions which are 50-50, which can go either way, goes with the call of the on-field umpire. It is not a completely perfect decision that has been overturned, so it is a 50-50 decision which can go either way, to the batting side or the fielding side. When we know that technology is not itself 100 percent correct, so that is when you need the umpire’s call,” Menon had said earlier.
Anil Kumble headed committee asks ICC to stick with the existing rule
And now, ESPN Cricinfo has reported that a Cricket Committee, headed by former Indian bowling legend Anil Kumble has recommended the International Cricket Council (ICC) to continue with the existing rule. The likes of Rahul Dravid, Mahela Jayawardene, Andrew Strauss, and Shaun Pollock were some of the other cricketers who were involved in the committee.
It has also been revealed that suggestions were taken from broadcasters, match officials as well as Hawk-Eye, before the reputed committee arrived at the final decision. So, as of now, the umpire’s call rule will not undergo any change.
