Cricket: India’s Nitin Menon included in ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for 2020-’21 season

India’s Nitin Menon has been included in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the season 2020-’21 following the annual review and selection process conducted by the International Cricket Council.

The 36-year-old, who has officiated in three Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 T20Is, replaced England’s Nigel Llong and is the third from his country to make the panel after Srinivas Venkatraghavan and Sundaram Ravi.

A selection panel consisting of ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice (Chairman), former player and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, and match referees Ranjan Madugalle and David Boon, picked Menon, who was earlier part of the ICC International Panel of Umpires.

“It’s a great honour and matter of pride for me to be named in the Elite panel,” said Menon. “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.

“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, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the 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.”

Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, said: “Nitin has come through our pathway system with very consistent performances. I congratulate him for being selected to the Elite panel and wish him continued success.”