India’s Nitin Menon has been promoted to ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2020-21 season following the annual review and selection process conducted by the International Cricket Council. Nitin, 36, becomes the youngest Indian umpire to be named on the panel and is third and currently the only Indian after Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Sundaram Ravi.
Nitin, who recently stood in his maiden Test, has officiated in three Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 T20Is. He has also officiated in two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups. His elevation comes on the back of his consistent performances in the ICC Panel of International Umpires, where he was first named in 2016.
A former cricketer, Nitin represented Madhya Pradesh in U-16, U-19, U-23 & List A matches from 1996 to 2004. At 22, he decided to follow the footsteps of his father Narendra, a former first first-class cricketer and an international umpire. He cleared the BCCI Umpiring exam in 2006 at the age of 23 years and started officiating in domestic matches from 2007-08 season.
His hard work and zeal to improve every season has resulted in him making the cut and getting included in the most elite group. “This is a dream come true for me. Ever since I decided to be an umpire after quitting active cricket at the age of 22, getting onto the ICC’s Elite Panel was my goal. I am very grateful to the BCCI & the ICC for all the opportunities given to me and the faith shown in me in these years. I am excited for the future and looking forward to put in my best performance,” an elated Nitin told BCCI.TV.
Nitin added that he hopes to see a larger representation of Indian umpires in the ICC Panels and he will do his best to guide and encourage them. “We did not have any representation in the Elite Panel for a while. I now want to keep the Indian flag flying high. I hope to see more umpires from India at the top level. I see this as an opportunity and a big responsibility to take Indian Umpires forward and guide them in every possible way by sharing my experiences.”
He also thanked his family and ICC’s Umpire Coach Denis Burns. “Finally, I would like to thank my family for all the sacrifices and their support over the years. I am very grateful to Mr. Denis Burns for all his guidance and support in my career as an International Umpire.”
