DRS made available for Ranji Trophy semis, final

Karnakata will take on Bengal in the second semifinal. Credit - KSCA © Cricbuzz (with inputs from agencies)

The forthcoming semifinals and final of the Ranji Trophy will have provisions for DRS reviews, marking the first time technology will be used to review umpiring decisions in India's premier first-class competition.

Contrary to the two reviews available per team per innings in Test cricket, each team here will be given a maximum of four referrals in an innings. Where a request for a player review results in the original on-field decision being reversed, then the Player Review shall be categorised as successful and shall not count towards the innings limit.

However, there will be a "limited use" of DRS, with no snicko, hot-spot, and the ball-tracker. Instead, the third umpire will have a slow-motion camera and a pitch map along with spin vision to assist him, with the idea being that at least the 'howlers' can be prevented.

"I welcome the decision of having DRS in Ranji Trophy. The Board should use DRS for the semifinals and finals of all its important tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy," said Saurashtra Cricket Association President Jaydev Shah.

Saurashtra will host Gujarat in the first of the semifinal while Karnataka travel to Kolkata to face Bengal in the other semi. The two semis will be played from February 29 with the Ranji Trophy final pencilled in to begin on March 9.