India Tour of Srilanka

Umpire Decision Review System

Sehwag LBW

Batsman: Virender Sehwag

Bowler: Muttiah Muralitharan

On-field Umpire: Mark Benson

Review requested by: Mahela Jayawardene

Score: India-Following-on 25/1 (6.4 ovs)

Verdict: Decision reversed

Sri Lanka's third request for a review in the first session of the day went in their favour as Sehwag was dismissed on the stroke of lunch. Facing Muralitharan from round the wicket, Sehwag shouldered arms to a top spinner which pitched on the leg stump line - half outside leg and half inside. The ball clipped the inner half of the front pad, which was outside the leg stump, and then went on to hit the back pad in front of the stumps. Umpire Benson ruled it not out but captain Jayawardene was convinced that Sri Lanka had their man. The third umpire found that the ball had pitched on the leg stump line and struck the batsman in line which prompted umpire Benson to reverse his decision. Considering the ball struck the front pad first, which was outside the leg stump it would have to go down as a tough decision.

While the Hawk-Eye's trajectory predicting technology might not be completely accurate it is difficult to understand why the Hot-Spot technology is not being implemented. In case of the above decision, the Hot-Spot technology would have clearly shown a 'white spot' outside the leg stump as it grazed past Sehwag's front pad, aiding the umpire to make a well-informed decision. What do you think? Should Hot-Spot and snickometers be used?