Cricket fans could see a new technological addition during India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, as a locally developed system called ‘Sonic’ is set to make its international series debut. The new technology aims to help umpires make more accurate decisions when checking whether the ball has touched the bat during a Decision Review System (DRS) review.
India’s tour of New Zealand will begin with a five-match T20I series, followed by five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Test matches. Sonic will be introduced after undergoing testing, validation and an independent assessment in consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC), with support from the BCCI.
Developed in New Zealand, Sonic is an audio-based edge-detection system that analyses sound to identify possible contact between the bat and the ball. It will be included in the DRS setup provided by Virtual Eye, a technology company that has been accredited by the ICC for ball-tracking services since 2008.
The system is designed to help third umpires during close decisions, particularly when they need to determine whether a batter edged the ball before it reached the wicketkeeper or another fielder. During a review, Sonic provides additional audio information that officials can consider while assessing possible bat-ball contact. However, the technology will not replace the umpire’s judgement. Instead, it is intended to support the existing decision-making process and help officials reach more informed conclusions.
Virtual Eye Chief Executive Officer Ben Taylor said the company had spent considerable time developing and improving Sonic, with a strong focus on accuracy, consistency and meeting the standards required in international cricket.
Taylor also highlighted the importance of having New Zealand-developed technology approved for a major international series, describing it as a significant achievement for Virtual Eye and another example of New Zealand innovation gaining recognition on the global stage.
For now, approval to use Sonic applies only to the upcoming India tour of New Zealand. Any use of the technology in future series will require further approval from the ICC. With Sonic set to make its debut in this series, its performance could attract attention from players, officials and cricket fans, particularly when it comes to close decisions involving possible edges.
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