Nitin Menon has decided not to officiate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan due to personal reasons, as confirmed by a BCCI source. The ICC has announced a panel of 15 match officials for the tournament, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, which will take place in various venues in Pakistan while India will play all matches in Dubai.
Nitin Menon, the sole Indian representative on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, has officially withdrawn from officiating at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan on February 19, 2025. A source from the BCCI indicated that Menon made this decision due to personal reasons and opted out of travel to Pakistan. The ICC has not commented on Menon’s withdrawal after announcing the officiating panel for the tournament.
The ICC’s recent announcement includes 15 match officials, consisting of three match referees and twelve umpires. The Champions Trophy will take place across three venues in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Notably, India will conduct all of its matches in Dubai, with the tournament concluding on March 9, 2025.
According to ICC guidelines, Menon would have been able to officiate in matches involving India in Dubai as neutral umpires are mandated for games between teams from the same nation. The officiating panel comprises respected figures, including renowned match referees like David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle, and Andrew Pycroft, all noted for their prior Champions Trophy experience.
The twelve umpires include several veterans from the 2017 Champions Trophy, such as Richard Kettleborough, who has officiated in 108 ODIs and was the umpire during the final of the previous tournament. Other notable umpires include Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, and Paul Reiffel, with Dharmasena marking his distinction by extending his record of officiating in 132 ODIs.
The complete list of match officials for the ICC Champions Trophy is as follows:
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Joel Wilson.
Match Referees: David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft.
The ICC Champions Trophy is an international cricket tournament that features teams from across the globe competing in One Day Internationals (ODIs). It has attracted a considerable following, and officiating is a critical aspect of ensuring fair play and consistency throughout the matches. Umpires and match referees are selected based on their expertise and previous experience in significant tournaments, including past Champions Trophy events.
Nitin Menon’s withdrawal from officiating in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is a noteworthy development given his status as India’s premier umpire. His decision was influenced by personal reasons, and while the tournament continues without him, it ensures compliance with ICC regulations regarding neutral officiating for matches involving India. The tournament will employ an experienced panel of umpires and referees, ensuring a high standard of officiating across matches held primarily in Pakistan, with India’s games played in Dubai.
Original Source: www.lokmattimes.com
