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Cricket is a sport loved by billions worldwide. Over time, the game has changed not just on the field but also in the way it is judged and analyzed. One big change in modern cricket is the use of technology to make decisions more accurate. Among these technologies, ball tracking stands out. It helps umpires and reviewers decide tough calls more correctly than ever before.
Before ball tracking was introduced, many important decisions were made only by the on‑field umpires. Sometimes they were right, and sometimes they got it wrong. Fans, players, and commentators often debated decisions. Technology like ball tracking helps reduce these mistakes and brings more fairness to the game, especially in close situations like LBW (leg before wicket) decisions.
What Is Ball Tracking, and How Does It Work?
Ball tracking is a system that watches the cricket ball’s movement from the bowler’s hand until it hits the batsman or goes past them. Using multiple high‑speed cameras, the system captures the position of the ball many times during a delivery. These camera images are processed by computers to create a 3D path of the ball, showing where the ball was pitched, where it hit the batsman, and where it would have gone.
There are two main technologies often discussed:
- Hawk-Eye: This is the most widely used ball tracking system in cricket today. It uses about six to ten high‑speed cameras placed around the ground to track the ball’s path.
- Virtual Eye: This is another ball‑tracking tool that has been used in some matches and claimed to work with different camera setups and frame rates. While it is similar in purpose to Hawk‑Eye, differences in data processing and camera use can lead to small differences in results.
Both systems work by combining the ball’s positions from many cameras and drawing the most likely path the ball will take. This information is also used in Decision Review System (DRS) calls.
Ball Tracking in the T20 World Cup 2026
In big events like the T20 World Cup 2026, ball tracking is an important part of DRS. It helps the third umpire decide if a batsman is out or not when a team asks for a review. While the ICC might use different systems, in most international games, we see Hawk‑Eye being used as the main tool to track the ball and project its path.
The use of ball tracking in cricket began in the early 2000s, with Hawk-Eye first introduced in international matches around 2001. Initially used mainly for broadcasting graphics, its accuracy and reliability soon led to integration into the Decision Review System (DRS) in 2008. Since then, ball tracking has become a standard part of major ICC events, including World Cups and T20 tournaments, providing fair and transparent decisions for players, umpires, and fans.
Ball Tracking in Other Sports
Ball tracking is not only used in cricket. It is also widely used in other sports:
- Tennis: To check if a ball is in or out.
- Soccer: For goal‑line technology.
- Baseball: To track pitch speed and placement.
- Badminton, Rugby, Volleyball: Used for tracking shots or ball movements.
Ball tracking systems have become so important in multiple sports across the world.
How Accurate Is Ball Tracking?
Ball tracking systems like Hawk‑Eye are very accurate. They claim to measure the ball’s position within a few millimeters.
However, this doesn’t mean they are perfect. There is always a small margin of error, especially when the ball has bounced or spun sharply. For this reason, the DRS includes “Umpire’s Call,” meaning if the prediction is extremely close to the line of the stumps, the original decision stays.
Controversies Around Ball Tracking
Even with its accuracy, ball tracking has had its share of controversy. One of the most talked‑about incidents happened in the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
The 2011 World Cup Incident: India vs Pakistan
In the semi‑final match between India and Pakistan, umpire Ian Gould gave Sachin Tendulkar out LBW to a delivery from Saeed Ajmal. Pakistan immediately appealed for a DRS review, but the decision was shown very late. When the ball‑tracking result finally appeared, it seemed that two frames had been removed from the replay, making it look like the ball missed the stumps. Some reports later revealed that the operators managing the Hawk‑Eye system were Indian, working from the remote operating office.
This incident became a huge talking point in cricket history. Some fans believed the DRS review was correct, while others felt the technology or the operators may have influenced the outcome. Former Pakistan bowler Ajmal himself claimed the frames were removed to favor the on-field decision. Although Hawk‑Eye creators defended their data, this event left a lasting debate about fairness and transparency.
Many analysts and fans argue that the ICC should take strict steps to ensure that operators cannot manipulate decisions to support their own teams. Standardized procedures, independent operators, and clear accountability should be enforced across all cricket boards to maintain the credibility of DRS.
Rassie van der Dussen Ball‑Tracking Confusion (2023 World Cup)
Another controversy occurred during the 2023 Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and Pakistan. South African batter Rassie van der Dussen was given out LBW and asked for a review. Initially, ball tracking showed the ball would miss the stumps, but the graphic was quickly changed on TV, showing it clipping the stumps instead.
Both versions showed “umpire’s call,” but the confusion of seeing two different projections in seconds sparked heated debate among players and commentators. Even the ICC had to release a statement explaining that a broadcast error had caused the confusion.
What Experts Say About Ball Tracking and DRS
Experts and former players have mixed views on ball tracking and DRS:
- Some former players believe technology helps make cricket fairer and more consistent.
- Others say that at times technology should be improved, as small errors can change match outcomes.
Despite these differences, most cricket analysts agree that technology has reduced human error and made decision‑making more reliable over time.
How Ball Tracking Judges Spin and Line
Ball tracking systems don’t just show the path of the ball; they also measure how the ball moves in the air and off the pitch. The cameras track the ball’s exact position frame by frame. The computer then calculates how much the ball swung, whether it spun, and how it bounced before reaching the batsman. This data helps predict where the ball would have ended up.
Different Pitches, Different Ball Tracking Data
Not all pitches behave the same. A dry, spinning pitch will make the ball turn more than a hard, bouncy pitch. Although the hardware tracks the ball the same way, the data output varies depending on how the ball reacts to the surface. These differences help teams understand how conditions affect bowling and batting, which can be very useful in upcoming big tournaments like the T20 World Cup 2026.
Additionally, modern ball‑tracking data is used for broadcast graphics like wagon wheels and pitch maps that help fans and analysts see exactly where the ball went and why.
Ball tracking and ball trajectory analysis are also studied in research. For example, new computer vision systems use deep learning to detect ball paths automatically from match footage, which can help coaches analyse patterns and weaknesses in batting or bowling.
Ball tracking has changed cricket in many ways. It has made decisions fairer, brought more data to the viewers, and helped players and teams make better decisions. Although not perfect and sometimes controversial, it remains one of the most important technologies in today’s game, and it will play a big role in the T20 World Cup 2026 and other major tournaments ahead.
