The controversial spidercam, which has been criticised by India’s limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, would be used during the upcoming World Twenty20 Championship but it won’t disturb play, ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson said.
“Yes, we are going to use spider cam during the World T20 championship. We will make sure it does not interfere with play. We have guidelines for its usage,” said Richardson at a promotional event of its new global partner, Oppo mobiles.
The spidercam had interfered with play during the fifth and final India-Australia ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 23, as well as during the previous Test series between the two countries Down Under.
During the fifth ODI, India were denied a boundary in the 19th over when Virat Kohli’s shot off John Hastings had hit the spidercam, prompting the umpires to declare it a dead ball.
The visitors chased down a 331-run victory target to end their losing streak in the ODI series that they lost 1-4, but Indian captain >Mahendra Singh Dhoni was of the view that such interference could affect the results of close matches.
Australia skipper Steve Smith, who had complained that the spidercam had upset his vision leading to the spilled catch of India opener K. L. Rahul who went on to score his maiden Test hundred (110) in the last series in Australia, saw the funny side of the episode.
“He was probably our best fielder tonight, spidercam. He saved four,” said Smith.
