Nitin Menon becomes 3rd Indian to join ICC Elite Panel of Umpires

India’s Nitin Menon has been added to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the upcoming season of international cricket (2020-21), it was confirmed on Monday (June 29). Menon is also the youngest member of the panel, replacing Nigel Llong.

Menon’s appointment came after an annual review meeting and selection process that was conducted by ICC’s General Manager of Cricket, Geoff Allardice, match referees Ranjan Madugalle, David Boon and former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar.

“It’s a great honour and matter of pride for me to be named in the Elite panel. To be officiating regularly along with the leading umpires and referees of the world is something that I always dreamt of and the feeling has yet to sink in,” Nitin Menon said on his appointment.

36-year-old Menon has become the third Indian umpire to join the ICC Elite Panel, after S Venkataraghavan and S Ravi. He has officiated in 3 Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 T20Is so far.

“Thankful for the opportunity”

“Having already officiated in Tests, ODIs and T20Is as well as in ICC events, I understand the great responsibility that comes with the job. I look forward to the challenges and will do my best at every opportunity I get. I also feel this is a responsibility on me to take Indian umpires forward and help them by sharing my experiences.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, BCCI and ICC for their support and believing in my ability over the years. I would also like to thank my family for their sacrifices and unconditional support throughout my career,” he added.

Meanwhile, the ICC has retained popular faces Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker and Joel Wilson in the Elite Panel.