New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed that 'Sonic' — a New Zealand-designed edge-detection technology — will be used as part of the Decision Review System (DRS) for the first time during the multi-format India tour of New Zealand, beginning Thursday, 22 October 2026. The integration marks a significant step in cricket officiating technology, bringing audio-based bat-ball contact analysis to international cricket's highest stage.

What Sonic Technology Does

Sonic uses advanced audio analysis to assist third umpires when reviewing potential bat-ball contact — an area that has long been among the most contested in DRS reviews. The technology is designed to complement existing ball-tracking and edge-detection tools, giving officials a more comprehensive set of signals before delivering a verdict.

The approval means Virtual Eye — which has held ICC accreditation for ball-tracking since 2008 — will now supply the full suite of DRS technology for the series. Notably, Virtual Eye's expanded role consolidates multiple officiating tools under a single, accredited provider for the first time.

Testing, Validation and Approvals

According to NZC, the rollout follows an extensive programme of testing, validation, and independent assessment conducted in consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Crucially, it has also received the backing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — a prerequisite given India's stature and influence in global cricket governance.

NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley said: 'The integrity of decision-making is fundamental to the game, which is why such a comprehensive testing and assessment process has been undertaken. The technology has been subject to extensive validation and independent review, and we're pleased with the outcome of that process. We'd like to thank the ICC, BCCI, Sky and Virtual Eye for their collaboration and commitment throughout.'

Ben Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Eye, added: 'Our team has worked tirelessly developing and refining this technology, with a strong focus on accuracy, consistency and meeting the standards expected at the highest level of international sport.'

NZC also clarified that any future use of Sonic beyond this series remains subject to the ICC's ongoing accreditation and approval processes — meaning this series functions, in part, as a high-profile live test at the international level.

Series Format and Schedule

India's all-format tour of New Zealand opens with a five-match T20I series, followed by five ODIs. The tour concludes with two Tests, with the second red-ball game scheduled to end on 1 December 2026. The Sonic technology will be operative across all formats throughout the three-series tour.

Why This Matters for Cricket

DRS has been a flashpoint since its introduction, with edge-detection in particular drawing scrutiny over perceived inconsistencies. The addition of Sonic addresses a known gap — audio analysis of potential contact — that existing visual and snickometer-based tools do not always resolve cleanly. This comes amid broader ICC efforts to standardise officiating technology across member boards. If Sonic performs to expectations across this high-profile series, it could accelerate its adoption globally.