Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal in the fourth T20I between India and England grabbed headlines and prompted fuming comments from the Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and former cricketers alike. Yadav was caught in the deep by David Malan. While the on-field umpire after much deliberation decided to go upstairs and take the TV umpire’s view on the dismissal, the Indian dressing room was convinced that it is not out.

Since the on-field umpire had given a ‘soft signal’ of out, the TV umpire had nothing conclusive to overturn the decision and the decision remained out. While the discussion gains steam and people deliberate on the debutant’s dismissal, let’s understand what a soft signal is.

When does an umpire take assistance from the third umpire?

According to the ICC’s playing conditions: “Should both on-field umpires require assistance from the third umpire to make a decision, the bowler’s end umpire shall firstly take a decision on-field after consulting with the striker’s end umpire, before consulting by two-way radio with the third umpire.”

“Such consultation shall be initiated by the bowler’s end umpire to the third umpire by making the shape of a TV screen with his/her hands, followed by a Soft Signal of Out or Not out made with the

hands close to the chest at chest height. If the third umpire advises that the replay evidence is inconclusive, the on-field decision communicated at the start of the consultation process shall stand,” the rules stated.

What is a soft signal?

According to the ICC’s playing conditions, the soft signal is a “visual communication by the bowler’s end umpire to the third umpire (accompanied by additional information via two-way radio where necessary) of his/her initial on-field decision prior to initiating an Umpire Review”.

As far as the match is concerned, propelled by Yadav’s 57-run blitzkerg, the hosts posted a challenging 186 on the board in their 20 overs. In reply, the England cricket team could only muster 177/8.

With this win, India pulled one back and drew level in the four-match T20I series. The next and final T20I match will be played on Sunday and at the same venue.