A big development has taken place ahead of the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the league is set to introduce a new technology known as the Smart Replay System, as per a report from ESPNcricinfo.
The trend of IPL introducing new rules and technologies continues after the Impact Sub Rule was implemented in IPL 2023.
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The aim of the Smart Replay System in IPL 2024 is to significantly improve the accuracy and speed of decision-making when it comes to referrals.
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What is Smart Replay System? How will the new technology work?
Two Hawk-Eye operators will be seated in the same room as the TV umpire and will supply him with footage obtained by Hawk-Eye's eight high-speed cameras located throughout the field as part of the Smart Replay System.
The TV broadcast director, who formerly acted as the link between the Hawk-Eye operators and the third umpire, will not be involved with the new setup.
The TV umpire will have access to more visuals — including split-screen images — than they did in the past thanks to the Smart Replay System, per the report.
With the new method, the umpire can view synchronized film of all frames on a split screen that are pertinent to rendering a decision following some doubts raised on the field.
Every game features eight Hawk-Eye cameras: two on each side of the square leg and two along the straight boundary on each side of the pitch. Ball tracking and Ultra Edge were the main applications for Hawk-Eye cameras before IPL 2023.
Except for LBWs and edges, the broadcaster thus primarily used video from their cameras for any on-field referral. Referrals for stumpings, run-outs, catches, and overthrows will all be included in the new Smart Replay System.
The TV umpire will use the Smart Review System to request to view the split screen from the Hawk-Eye operators following a stumping referral.
TV umpire tri-vision, which is essentially a single frame of film from both side-on and front-on cameras, will be displayed for stumpings using the new technology.
In the past, the broadcaster would include footage from Stump Cam with the side-on views from each side. However, because Stump Cam records the action at a slower rate — roughly 50 frames per second — than Hawk-Eye cameras, which record at a faster rate (approx. 300 frames per second), the umpires will have access to more accurate video footage for making their call.
More clarification in the event of a catch completed just inches off the ground should also be possible thanks to the Smart Review System. The TV umpire's ruling in previous cases involving similar referrals has generated controversy since it appears that the video footage used to support the decision was inconclusive.
Hawk-Eye will now display a single frame instantly with images from both side-on and front-on views under the Smart Review System. Subsequently, the TV umpire has the option to select a certain zoom angle.
Conversations between Hawk-Eye operator and TV umpire to be aired live
The TV umpire and the Hawk-Eye operator's conversations while coming to a decision will probably be aired live, giving viewers a better understanding of the reasoning behind judgments.
On Sunday and Monday in Mumbai, the BCCI held a two-day session for a select group of umpires on the new system.
According to ESPNcricinfo, about 15 umpires — including both foreign and Indian umpires — will utilize the Smart Replay System.
IPL 2024 begins on March 22 in Chennai. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
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