‘Don’t reduce umpires to dummies’

Former India player and umpire S. Venkatraghavan believes that the ICC proposal to have lbw decisions referred to third umpires by batsmen could reduce on-field umpires to mere dummies. Venkat, who officiated in 73 Tests and 52 one-dayers, says instead of resorting to the TV umpire for every decision, the ICC should put in place quality umpires to minimise chances of a wrong decision. He also said ICC must not hesitate to pull up umpires if they make too many mistakes. “I am a traditionalist and in my opinion, the ICC should put in place the best umpires instead of coming up with such proposals,” he said.

“A player has to accept the decisions given by the on field umpire. After all there are certain rules wherein the on field umpires can seek the assistance of the third umpire before declaring a player dismissed for stumping, run outs and even for catches taken on the boundary line. These are perfectly alright but I am not able to accept the fact that the lbw decision will also be referred to the third umpire. Such a rule will reduce the on field umpires to dummies,” he said.