The question has been raised many times — how come the superpower of world cricket (India), does not have a single umpire in the ICC’s Elite panel?
Indian cricket has grown by leaps and bounds in the last couple of decades. Today, India is not only an economic powerhouse in the global cricket; but it has also translated the same in terms of its cricketing performance. Stadiums, grounds, player salaries, training academies have all seen an upward swing in terms of quality. However, one critical area where India shockingly lags behind is the quality of our home-grown umpires.
Umpiring is a critical area that plays a pivotal role in determining the overall quality of a cricket match. Percentages of correct decisions, respect bestowed by players, moral integrity and understanding of the finer aspects of the game are factors that differentiate a good umpire from an incompetent one.
If I had to point out one area where we could see a significant improvement, it is the umpiring standards in domestic cricket. Like in the case of our national cricket team, where a good side is built on the basis of strong grassroots and domestic structures, umpires too cut their first teeth at domestic competitions.
Therefore, transparency in selection process and evaluations of their performance at this level becomes critical.
My suggestion would be to encourage former players, who understand the intricacies of the game better than any one else. Based on the simple fact that these players have played the game and have been through those situations; makes them ideal candidates for the coveted umpires’ slot.
We have had cases of Maninder Singh and Yashpal Sharma, who played the game at the highest level. My understanding is that these two cricketers did not umpire at the highest level because of lack of a favourable system that encouraged or assisted them in taking their umpiring careers forward. Also, the rapid growth of media has lured a lot of former cricketers with lucrative career option.
This is where the administrators have to step in and make umpiring a rewarding career option for a former top-level cricketer. From the Indian horizon, one umpire that comes to my mind who has all the ingredients to make it to the Elite panel is Shavir Tarapore. The fact that Tarapore is a former first class cricketer and understands the finer intricacies of the game, exemplifies my point the best.
In recent times, India’s best umpire has been Srinivasraghavan Venkataraghavan, a former India captain and the only Indian umpire to make it to the ICC Elite panel.
The fact that a player of his stature stands in that coveted umpire position, automatically earns him the respect of the players, bestowing him the authority to keep a complete control of the game.
We need many more former players of integrity and high stature to take up umpiring and this is something the board and its administrators need to encourage.
Positive steps have been taken in terms of having an umpire academy and better salaries. However, what the board also needs to see is that this academy inducts and encourages more former cricketers to opt for, what I would term as, a noble cricketing profession.
The recent incident where a television channel carried out a sting operation that showed umpires who had compromised their morality puts a shadow over the matches, especially, domestic cricket.
The repercussions of the same on the general level of cricket at the domestic level, which does not always evoke media scrutiny and television broadcast; can have detrimental effect on the game.
Imagine how discouraging it would be for an upcoming honest cricketer if he gets unfair decision in a domestic match from an umpire, who has compromised on his morals.
India is today, undoubtedly, the largest cricketing nation of the world, with probably the biggest domestic cricket structure and player talent pool. This structure needs the highest level of officiating in terms of umpiring.
In cricket, we always debate on scouting and developing the next Tendulkar, Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. It is also time that connoisseurs of Indian cricket lay equal importance on finding the next Dickie Bird, David Shepherd and S Venkataraghavan. I rest my case of encouraging former cricketers to take up the job on the simple fact that all the three mentioned illustrious personalities were first class cricketers, who took up umpiring.
More is a former India vice-captain, wicketkeeperand chairman of selectors
— Apostrophe Media works
Comments