Following the controversial dismissal of Indian wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni in the Antigua test, the International Cricket Council has made a law in favor of the fielder in case of doubt arises whether a catch was taken inside the boundary rope.
Dhoni did not leave the crease initially, when the Indies opener Daren Ganga took his catch at the edge of the boundary. The TV replays were inconclusive. The third umpire Billy Doctrove looked replays for 10 minutes. However, he could not give his verdict.
This created chaotic situation in the field for a moment. Indies skipper Brian Lara insisted Dhoni to leave the ground as he has full faith on Ganga.
In order to avoid such kind of confusion, the international cricket governing body issued a protocol to the umpires in this regard.
The ICC release reads,
If the TV replay evidence is inconclusive, the TV umpire must still make a boundary decision. His decision must be made using the existing convention in cricket, which dictates that the status quo prevails - i.e. because no evidence exists of a boundary being scored, no boundary is awarded. This decision is conveyed back to the on-field umpires.
In these circumstances, as no boundary has been scored, the only decision left is for the on-field umpire at the bowler’s end to give the batsman out - caught, it adds.
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