To reduce the errors in the decision making process in IPL 2024, the BCCI has come out with an innovative method to judge waist-high full tosses, which are often the bone of contention.
Waist-high no-balls have been among the most challenging decisions for on-field and third umpires, leading to several controversial moments.
As per sources in BCCI, the officials are measuring the heights of all the players in the IPL 2024 till their waist and the data will be fed into the system for Hawk-eye operators to determine the waist-high full tosses issue.
"There are people in the BCCI's team who are measuring the height of all the players in the IPL till their waist, with a measuring tape. This data will then be fed into the system used by hawk-eye operators, who sit with the third umpire (from this IPL season) to judge reviews of waist-high full tosses. This data will help in judging the waist-high full toss to a particular batsman better,” a BCCI source told Times of India.
Meanwhile, the ICC Law of Cricket Clause 41.7.1 states: “Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is to be deemed to be unfair. Whenever such a delivery is bowled, the umpire shall call and signal No ball.”
Aside from that, a new Smart Replay technology has already been introduced to improve the decision-making process. The hawk-eye operators are sitting alongside the TV umpire to give real-time visuals that aid in faster and more accurate analysis and interpretation of judgments.
Hawk-Eye has deployed eight high-speed cameras throughout the grounds. Unlike the old configuration, the new setup eliminates the job of the TV broadcast director, who served as a liaison between the Hawk-Eye operators and the third umpire.