The Board of Control for Cricket in India have done away with the soft signal rule in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League which will kick off next month. Third umpires will now also be allowed to review calls on short run and no-balls after the soft signal rule caused much controversy in the recent past.
The BCCI, in its updated paying conditions for the 2021 IPL, has stated that the on-field umpires would not be allowed to give soft signals when referring a decision to the third umpire.
“Soft Signal: Onfield Umpire giving Soft Signal while referring the decision to the 3rd Umpire will not be applicable,” states the updated playing conditions for IPL 2021.
ANI quoted sourced in the know of developments saying that the decision will help avoid confusion in making umpiring decisions.
“There have been cases wherein the soft signal has kind of created confusion rather than giving clarity to the third umpire and that is why it was felt that going back to the old method of referring decisions to the third umpire if the on-field umpires are not sure should be followed,” the source was quoted as saying.
India skipper Virat Kohli has also spoken about the need to remove the soft signal rule, adding that it is a grey area that hampers the game and gives teams no clarity.
The other changes in the rules state that in case of short run, the third umpire can check whether it was a short run or not and can overturn the decision made by the on-field umpires.
“Short-run: In the case of the short run, the third umpire checks the short run and can overturn the decision made by the on-field umpires,” the updated playing conditions states.
The short-run point was a hot topic of debate last year during the match between Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Delhi Capitals. The Punjab management also made an official complaint after the short-run call, which was an umpiring error, cost them the match in the Super Over.
