A two-day workshop for 15 umpires (Indian and International combined) organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India has resulted in the implementation of Smart Replay System. This technological advance will make its debut in the 2024 edition of Indian Premier League.
Earlier, when a review was asked for by the players, the broadcaster used to mediate between the TV umpire to the Hawk-Eye operator or director. This could be heard by television viewers wherein the broadcast’s voice could be heard saying, “TV umpire to director…”. The Smart Replay System will eliminate this role of the broadcaster. This means that the TV umpire will receive direct visuals from the Hawk-eye operators.
This advance comes as a result of the installation of eight hawk-eye cameras that have the ability to record and capture 300 frames per second. There are four front-on cameras (two for either side of the pitch) and four that present a side view (two on either side square of the wicket). In the room along with the TV umpire will be two Hawk-eye operators who would be providing the umpires with all the visuals necessary for making a decision.
The Smart Replay System has the ability to present split screen views, single frame tri-vision (one front-on and two side views), and customized zoom-in visuals. These visuals speed up the gameplay in cricket. The Smart Replay System also eliminates the unnecessary elements of checking for pitching of the ball during a leg before wicket referral, and showing multiple angles in a single frame. All this is managed by the Hawkeye operator who shows the best possible visuals and conveys the information of the preliminary steps to the TV umpire.
Smart Replay System has previously been tested at The Hundred, and is now set to be implemented at a larger scale in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
