How does the Decision Review System help cricket umpires make decisions?

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Jonny Bairstow of England, wearing a light blue uniform and helmet, batting during the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia, with two Australian fielders behind the stumps. — cricket Jonny Bairstow of England batting during a semifinal match against Australia at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

The Decision Review System (DRS) is a technology-based framework in cricket designed to assist on-field umpires by allowing for the review of disputed decisions. When a player challenges a call or an umpire refers one, a third umpire—an off-field official—uses advanced tools to evaluate the play.1

The third umpire utilizes several key technologies to reach a verdict:

Video replay: Uses multiple camera angles to assess dismissals like run-outs and catches, as well as boundary decisions.1
Hawk-Eye ball tracking: Employs computer modeling to predict the ball's trajectory, primarily for leg before wicket (lbw) decisions.1
UltraEdge/Snickometer: Uses sensitive microphones to detect minute contact between the ball and the bat or body.1
Hot Spot: Uses infrared cameras to identify heat signatures caused by contact.1

If the DRS evidence is inconclusive, the original on-field decision stands. Otherwise, the third umpire’s findings can overturn or confirm the initial call.1