Umpiring in India is not easy for any official considering the pressure players create to get the decisions in their favor.
Nitin Menon, who will officiate in the Ashes 2023 between England and Australia, has accused star players of the Indian team of putting the umpires under pressure. He didn’t take any aim but was pointing fingers at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have had arguments with him in many games.
Nitin has now officiated in 15 Tests, 24 ODIs and 20 T20 Internationals since June 2020, when he was added to the ICC Elite Panel.
Ahead of his debut in the Ashes 2023 next month, Menon spoke to PTI.
‘When India play home matches, there is a big hype. A lot of big stars in the Indian team try to create pressure on umpires to get those 50-50 decisions in favor of them. However, if we are in control the situation, we don’t focus on their actions. I can handle any situation rather than breaking down under pressure. I have become a good umpire because of the pressure put on me,” he said.
“Leading the Indian international panel of umpires at home is a big responsibility. The last three years have helped me to grow as an umpire,” he added.
Menon will be seen in the third Test match of the Ashes series. “It is going to be exciting for me. I got the first-hand experience of the Bazball when I was in England for their matches against South Africa last year.”