Did MS Dhoni break the law by taking a review in the first ODI?

The former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni, is by far one of the best players to have got a hang of the Decision Review System (DRS). The success rate of Dhoni’s review has prompted the Indian fans to call it Dhoni Review System. He, yet again proved he understands the DRS better than most with a fine call to save Jasprit Bumrah who was otherwise given out lbw.

However, reports suggest that he broke an important International Cricket Council (ICC)’s law. The incident happened in the 33rd over of the innings, when the right-handed Bumrah was deemed to have been hit in front of the stumps and adjudged lbw. Even before the umpire completed the ritual of raising his hand, Dhoni at the non-striker raised his hand to signal for a review.

The umpire Anil Chaudhary accepted the review and consulted the third umpire on the decision. To the joy of the Indian fans, the replays suggested that the impact was outside the off-stump and the TV umpire asked Chaudhary to reverse his decision.

Questions that are raised, however, following the decision is, was Dhoni allowed to take a review from the non-strikers’ end?

ICC’s Playing conditions:

According to ICC’s Playing Conditions on Player Reviews, only the batsman who has been dismissed can ask for a review. Here, Bumrah did not take the call.

“Only the batsman involved in a dismissal may request a Player Review of an Out decision,” states the ICC rule. So was the umpire right in allowing the non-striker Dhoni to take the decision?

What does section 3 of the Law say?

Here is what ICC ODI Playing Conditions say on Player Reviews under Section 3. The following paragraphs shall operate in addition to and in conjunction with paragraph 2 (Umpire Review).

3.1 Circumstances in which a Player Review may be requested

3.1.3 Only the batsman involved in a dismissal may request a Player Review of an Out decision and only the captain (or acting captain) of the fielding team may request a Player Review of a Not out decision.