Mahendra Singh Dhoni's immaculate decision making when it comes to the Decision Review System (DRS) on the pitch was in the highlight again during Chennai Super Kings' clash against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 on April 9.
The CSK skipper's record while challenging the umpire's decision is storied. He did that to great effect to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav in their clash against MI.
Yadav, new to the crease, tried to sweep Mitchell Santner but the ball ended up in Dhoni's gloves. The CSK skipper appealed for a caught behind but the umpire signalled wide.
A confident-looking Dhoni decided to take DRS and challenge the decision and in the replay, it was evident that the ball brushed past Yadav's gloves before Dhoni took the catch. The umpire's decision got overturned and the MI star went back to the pavilion, scoring just one run off two balls.
Dhoni's amazing use of DRS was once again evident on 23 April 2023 when CSK took on KKR at the Eden Gardens. After Tushar Deshpande's appeal for LBW against KKR batsman David Wiese was turned down, Dhoni once again went for the review in his inimatable style and as usual, DRS proved him right.
What is Decision Review System (DRS)?
The DRS is a system where the on-field umpires get a chance to consult the third umpire to review their decisions on the pitch. It can be used by either the umpires themselves or the players on the field who wish to challenge an umpire's decision.
Only a fielding captain or a batsman who has been given out can appeal for a review on the pitch. The players get 15 seconds after a decision is given to make up their minds and challenge the call.
The third umpire uses a hot spot, Snickometer and ball tracker in slow motion to check if the decision of the on-field umpire is right.
The DRS was first used during a Test series between India and Sri Lanka. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag's LBW was the first decision that got overturned under the DRS.
The technology was officially used in Test matches from November 2009. In 2018, the DRS was used for the first time in IPL while in 2017, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) became the first T20 league to use the system.
Who do fans want DRS renamed as 'Dhoni Review System?
Despite being 41 years old now, Dhoni's ability to successfully overturn an umpire's decision through DRS check has remained intact.
The former India captain sent MI danger man Suryakumar Yadav back to the pavilion for just 1 run after successfully taking a catch off Mitchell Santner's delivery which brushed Yadav's gloves and went to the wicketkeeper. The umpire initially called it wide but after Dhoni reviewed the decision and it got overturned.
The fans were naturally elated to see that Dhoni has still got it when it comes to take the DRS successfully.
Cricketers become Commentators after Retirement.
— Aayushi💉⚡ (@cric_aayushi) April 8, 2023
MS Dhoni will definitely become Umpire.🐐🥵⚡
"Dhoni Review System"💉pic.twitter.com/cvV8cCneSv
The Dhoni Review System! pic.twitter.com/Sx3JFsRc4e
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 8, 2023
Dhoni Review system they said , very well said pic.twitter.com/eYfAApamcO
— Jayprakash MSDian™ 🥳🦁 (@ms_dhoni_077) April 8, 2023
This is the right time ICC should change the name decision review system to Dhoni review system that's it that's the tweet 💉 🛐 !pic.twitter.com/9w3zH3Bid8
— ⍟ (@ThatWittyGuy) April 8, 2023
How many times has Dhoni taken a DRS call successfully?
Dhoni is a master when it comes to successfully taking a review on the field. Several times in the past, the former India captain had managed to overturn an umpire's decision.
Most notably Yuvraj Singh's dismissal during an ODI match between India and England got overturned after Dhoni convinced the southpaw to challenge the call. The decision proved to be a boon for India and the batsman as Singh went on to score 150 runs.
In the same series, Dhoni got Eoin Morgan dismissed through DRS. Dhoni had taken the catch of Morgan behind the stumps but the umpire felt that Morgan did not nick the ball but DRS later revealed that the England batsman did actually get a touch and was dismissed for 26.
