The experimental player-referral system allowed each team three unsuccessful challenges per innings. The first review was on day two when India captain Anil Kumble challenged a rejected lbw appeal from Harbhajan Singh against Malinda Warnapura. Replays supported umpire Mark Benson’s original decision.
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Tillakaratne Dilshan later made history by becoming the first batter to successfully challenge an on-field decision. Given out caught behind off Zaheer Khan, Dilshan asked for a review and was allowed to continue after third umpire Rudi Koertzen found insufficient evidence to uphold the dismissal.
Virender Sehwag then became the first player dismissed after an on-field decision was overturned. Sri Lanka reviewed a rejected lbw appeal from Muttiah Muralitharan, with Sehwag subsequently given out.
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The trial produced several disputed moments and exposed weaknesses in both the available technology and its application. However, it provided the foundation for a system that would become a central part of international cricket.
Sri Lanka won the Test by an innings and 239 runs, with Muralitharan taking 11 wickets and debutant Ajantha Mendis claiming eight.
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