For the first time in a T20 league, players will be allowed to review wide and no-ball decisions using DRS. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is the first competition to introduce this modification to the DRS, and it will be implemented in the upcoming IPL too.

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WPL: A player may also be allowed to review any decision taken by on-field umpires

“A player may request a review of any decision taken by the on-field umpires concerning whether or not a batter is dismissed. With the exception of ‘Timed Out’ (Player Review),” the WPL playing conditions said. “A player may also be allowed to review any decision taken by on-field umpires concerning wide or no-ball.”

Players could only review on-field decisions for dismissal

Interesting use of a new adaptation to the playing conditions last night. You can use DRS to review a no-ball or wide call at the #WPL. The batter had edged it, said she played it, keeper agreed but the umpire had called it wide. The review came in handy to overturn it.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2023

Until now, players could only review on-field decisions for dismissal. But that will not be the case in the WPL and IPL going forward. These reviews – for wides and no-balls – will be a part of the two unsuccessful reviews that each team is entitled to per innings. Leg-bye decisions, however, cannot be reviewed using DRS.

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The first two games of the WPL have already had players use this new feature

The first two games of the WPL have already had players use this new feature. In the tournament opener between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants. A delivery from Mumbai spinner Saika Ishaque was called a wide down the leg side by the on-field umpire. Mumbai reviewed the decision using DRS. And it was overturned because replays showed the ball had brushed the batter Monica Patel’s glove.

Delhi Capitals batter Jemimah Rodrigues also used such a review

On Sunday afternoon, Delhi Capitals batter Jemimah Rodrigues also used such a review. Soon after she pulled a full toss from Megan Schutt for four and saw the on-field umpires. Umpires had not signaled a no-ball for height, and Rodrigues called for a review using DRS. This decision was, however, not overturned as replays and ball-tracking showed the ball was dipping on the batter and Rodrigues had also crouched a fair bit, almost down on her back knee.

“I’m really conscious around trying to turn the art of officiating into a science and seek perfection, whatever that looks like, with decision making,” Taufel had said. “So with wides for example, and here we’re going to, potentially according to you, or according to the player or the debate, take a wide call and throw that back to the third umpire for them to judge on something that might be marginal and is still a judgment call.”