"My promotion is evidence that BCCI's efforts are bearing fruits. Creating the Nagpur Umpiring Academy was a visionary project and it has produced its first result. This selection, I believe, is a boost to all Indian umpires and will give aspiring umpires faith in the system and processes"
An Indian is in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the first time since S Venkataraghavan retired in 2004. Elevated to this panel recently, Sundaram Ravi tells G Krishnan about the journey and the dream of wanting to win the trophy named after his idol, the late David Shepherd, in this exclusive interview. Excerpts:
How does it feel to be in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires?
I feel honoured, privileged and excited to be in the panel. Twenty six umpires have served on the elite panel till date since its formation in 2002, so it is a great feeling. Thanks to the BCCI for providing me and other umpires with many opportunities as well as the investment of the Nagpur Umpiring Academy. Also, I need to thank my coach Simon Taufel, who had assisted me throughout.
How has the journey been so far?
It has been marvellous, a great learning experience and I'm still learning every day. That is what makes the journey so worthwhile. It has allowed me to work with some of the best and most knowledgeable people in the game and be involved from the best viewing position.
India now have an elite panel umpire for the first time since S Venkataraghavan retired from umpiring 11 years ago. Does that put you under pressure to live up to the standards he and the other elite panel umpires have set?
I don't feel any additional pressure. Venkat is a legend of India cricket and I have grown up looking up to him. But there will be no change to my match preparations. They will be exactly the same as they were before I was selected to the elite panel. Every match is important and I will continue to strive to improve and achieve excellence.
What do you think your elevation to the elite panel will do to other aspiring Indian umpires?
My promotion is evidence that BCCI's efforts are bearing fruits. Creating the Nagpur Umpiring Academy was a visionary project and it has produced its first result. This selection, I believe, is a boost to all Indian umpires and will give aspiring umpires faith in the system and processes. Even the best of the best of the elite have to work hard so that they can maintain the very high standards they have set for themselves.
You are known to be very strong in theory. The rules and regulations have only been increasing manifold. How difficult is it to remember each and every rule and make the right decisions every time?
It really is about preparation for each match and series. The playing conditions for each format are slightly different. Nothing is easy in a professional career but it is all about how you go about your preparations. I will continue to umpire in domestic matches, which will provide all-round skills to my overall umpiring, and talk to my coaches.
With so many cameras watching every decision the umpires make, do they put pressure on you?
Not at all. When the umpires are on the field, their focus and objective is to make the best possible decisions to the best of their abilities without being pressurised and overawed by the cameras or who the players are. We look at every delivery as unique and each demands our total attention and focus on field.
Geoff Allardice, ICC General Manager – Cricket, said Indian umpires are doing well, thanks to IPL. How much has officiating in IPL helped you?
The IPL has given all Indian umpires a taste of umpiring in front of big, noisy and excited crowds and has given us certainly that additional experience of pressure. That experience is important to all of us. The umpire teams, too, had international and elite umpires, with ICC match referees, and that too was important to our learning. Taufel was also there to train and assist us. So, it was an important part of my development. However, I think I have been collectively groomed by the BCCI and the ICC. I umpired at the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, the World Cup Qualifiers and World Twenty20 Qualifiers before being appointed to ODIs, Tests, World Twenty20 and the World Cup. At the same time, the BCCI continued to assign me at domestic matches, including giving opportunities to work at the IPL and the Champions League. So, I think it has been a well-planned and well-thought strategy by the BCCI and the ICC, and want to thank all involved in my development.
How was the experience of officiating in Tests, especially at the Home of Cricket, Lord's, in the recent series between England and New Zealand?
That match will stay with me forever and I hope that I will get more opportunities to umpire Tests at Lord's. What a ground and atmosphere! Test cricket is the traditional format of the game and most of the cricketers like to play this format as for them it is the ultimate test of their skill and talent. Also, Lord's is the Home of Cricket with all the tradition.
We often see retired players taking up umpiring, and we have some former Test players in the umpiring panel. What were the challenges you had, as you have not played at the national level?
This is an open field and anyone who performs consistently well gets the job. We must also understand that there is space for only 12 umpires on the elite panel and only the best of the best will get a chance to serve on that group. Whether you're a former international cricketer or not, you not only need to know the laws but also the art of applying them. Also, you need to have certain man-management skills because you're working with some of the best cricketers. On the elite panel, there are umpires who have played cricket at the international level and those who have not. Although, I have played decent cricket at first league level at the universities and senior division league in Chennai.
Did you always want to be an umpire?
After my playing days, I thought this would be the best possible position to keep in touch with the game.
What has been the toughest match you have stood in so far among the six Tests, 24 ODIs and 12 T20 Internationals you have officiated in?
Every match, be it international or domestic, I have supervised is special to me and I wouldn't like to single out one match.
What goals have you set for yourself?
David Shepherd was one of my heroes and it will be great to win the trophy (for the ICC Umpire of the Year), which is named after him. I want to be known and respected for my umpiring decisions as well as being a good team-man.
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