by Riyaz Aluher (Former Assistant Principal and Senior Games Master of Royal College)

I am prompted to write this article after reading an eye-opening article by Lorenz Pereira ( ‘Sunday Island’ – March 02, 2025) —the cricket legend.

https://island.lk/senaka-weeraratna-the-unsung-architect-of-modern-cricket/

I felt compelled to add a crucial missing element, the idea of Cricket Reformation through the advent of the Decision Review System (DRS). While Lorenz’s piece covered many aspects of modern cricket, it overlooked how DRS has fundamentally reshaped the way the game is played and perceived.

Riyas Aluher

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Cricket has witnessed many changes, but few have been as groundbreaking and paradigm shifting as the Decision Review System (DRS). This revolutionary game changing system, rooted in Senaka Weeraratna’s Player Referral concept, has fundamentally transformed the game by allowing players to challenge umpiring decisions that go against the foundational premise of cricket – ‘the Umpire’s decision is final’. It is no longer accepted today because Senaka Weeraratna argued with vehemence that greater accuracy in decision making can only be achieved by going ‘against the grain’ using new technology.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) accepted the Player Referral concept of Senaka Weeraratna in 2006 and renamed it as the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS later abbreviated into DRS). With the integration of advanced technology such as Hawk-Eye, UltraEdge, and Hot Spot, DRS has enhanced fairness, minimized human error, and brought greater accuracy to decision-making in cricket.

Cricket Reformation

The wider picture is Cricket Reformation.   Senaka Weeraratna is Cricket’s version of the iconic Martin Luther. The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 when Martin Luther published a document called ‘Disputation on the Power of Indulgences’ and pasted his 95 ideas or Theses on the door of a castle church in Wittenberg, Germany.  The theses were a series of ideas that challenged the Catholic Church’s teachings.

What were Luther’s ideas?
1. The Church needed reform
2. The Catholic Church’s practices that focused on good works were immoral
3. Sale of Indulgences, or payments to the Church were wrong
4. There is no need for a controlling Church hierarchy

Martin Luther is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation that later swept Europe.

             Martin Luther

What are Senaka Weeraratna’s ideas?

1. Cricket needed Reform
2. Cricket’s integrity and commitment to fair play were compromised because of its failure to employ technology to correct an Umpire’s decision
3. His aphorism published in the ‘Time’ Magazine (Letters to the Editor – June 07, 1999) and other international publications stating ‘ If you have the technology to detect an error of an Umpire, then the same technology must be used to correct the error of an Umpire’, is now universally acknowledged as the trigger that set the pace of the Cricket Reformation enshrining DRS.
4. DRS impact on cricket
DRS has removed the finality of decisions made by on-field umpires. It has brought integrity and justice to the game by replacing an over-exaggerated, flawed, and abused method of adjudication.

5. The Dawn of a New Era
Since DRS was introduced, cricket has experienced a remarkable transformation. The system has not only minimized human error in umpiring decisions but also brought with it a series of welcome changes:
• No More ‘Hora Umpire’ Shouts: Gone are the days when the loud, often humorous, Hora Umpire” calls from the stands would fill the air. With technology stepping in, decisions are made more accurately and objectively.
• Reduced Tensions on the Field: The constant friction between cricket-playing nations over umpiring errors has eased considerably. With decisions now being double-checked, the focus has shifted to the quality of play rather than disputes over officiating.
• Enhanced Respect for Umpiring: There is now a greater acknowledgment of the precision involved in umpire decisions, which has elevated the integrity of the game. The reliance on advanced tools like Hawk-Eye, Ultra Edge, and Hot Spot has brought a renewed trust in how the sport is governed

Senaka Weeraratna’s theory was groundbreaking at the time and has since reshaped sports officiating worldwide, including in football, tennis, and rugby, where systems like VAR and Goal Line Technology have become integral to decision-making.

Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor, the celebrated Indian writer, and author, has expressed his views on the impact that the Decision Review System (DRS) has had on the modern game, and he stated unequivocally that it has been one of cricket’s best innovations. Tharoor further said that international cricket should never be without DRS in the future, given how many errors technology prevents.
DRS is such a major innovation. I never want to see international cricket without DRS ever again. It is so indispensable and eliminates so many bad decisions, and it creates an additional form of excitement for the viewer. It adds an extra element of tension to the plot and it is a very welcome addition as far as I’m concerned,” Tharoor said.

DRS inventor
Sri Lanka’s Senaka Weeraratna is known as the “Father of DRS”

Despite its universal acceptance, it is crucial to acknowledge the true origins of DRS. The Player Referral idea, first proposed by Senaka Weeraratna, laid the foundation for this paradigm shift, influencing not only cricket but also other sports that now rely on technology for fair play. His concept was groundbreaking at the time and has since reshaped sports officiating worldwide, including in football, tennis, and rugby, where systems like VAR and Goal Line Technology have become integral to decision-making.

Innovation in sports must be recognized, and credit should be given to the minds behind these game-changing ideas. Senaka Weeraratna’s vision was the catalyst for a transformation that has redefined cricket’s decision-making process. His contribution goes beyond an individual achievement—it marks a historical turning point in sports technology and fair play.

A Legacy Worth Celebrating
The Decision Review System stands as one of the most significant milestones in cricket history, ushering in an era of strategic depth, accuracy, and player empowerment. However, the true pioneer behind this revolutionary change remains largely unrecognized. It is time for the sporting world to formally acknowledge Senaka Weeraratna’s role in shaping modern cricket and sports officiating.

As sports continue to evolve with technological advancements, history must ensure that those who paved the way for these innovations receive their due recognition. Senaka Weeraratna’s legacy as the architect of player-driven decision reviews must be honored, ensuring that his contribution to the game is remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

Senaka Weeraratna is the seminal figure of the Cricket Reformation beginning with the DRS.

RIYAZ ALUHER