What’s the Big Deal About “Umpire’s Call”?
India’s legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar is calling for a big change in cricket’s Decision Review System (DRS) — he wants the controversial “Umpire’s Call” rule gone.
Here’s the problem: if the tracker shows the ball only clipping the stumps, the umpire’s original decision stands. Even though the technology confirms it’s a hit, the batter stays not out — and the team keeps its review.
Sachin’s View on the Rule
Sachin Tendulkar has made it clear: he wants the “Umpire’s Call” taken out of the game. In his view, once technology shows the ball hitting the stumps, that should be enough to decide the outcome — no grey areas needed.
Why Tendulkar Thinks It’s Unfair
According to Sachin, the whole point of DRS is clarity and fairness. But “Umpire’s Call” does the opposite — it leaves fans and players confused, because the umpire’s decision can override what the technology already shows.
Real Matches Where “Umpire’s Call” Changed Everything
Tendulkar’s concern isn’t just theoretical — the rule has already influenced the outcome of major matches.
Pakistan vs South Africa — 2023 World Cup (Chennai)
In the 2023 World Cup in Chennai, Haris Rauf’s LBW review against Tabraiz Shamsi showed the ball clipping leg stump, but the Umpire’s Call kept him not out. Shamsi survived, South Africa won by one wicket, and Pakistan’s campaign suffered — reviving debate over Umpire’s Call.
What This Could Mean for Cricket
Tendulkar’s opinion carries weight. If his suggestion is taken seriously, cricket authorities like the ICC may have to review how DRS works.
It’s not an easy change, since cricket has always tried to balance technology with human judgment. But when a legend like Sachin calls for a change, the conversation naturally becomes harder to ignore.
Conclusion
At the heart of it, Sachin’s point is simple — if the ball hits the stumps, the batter should be out. If the ICC takes his suggestion seriously, it could make DRS fairer, clearer, and far less frustrating for both players and fans watching the game.
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