Umpires’ fast-tracking programme takes a bumpy ride

The BCCI had earlier nominated a three-member panel comprising S Venkatraghavan, SK Bansal and VK Ramaswamy to look into the umpiring fiasco after the International Cricket Council (ICC) openly stated that Indian umpires were below standard and blamne the board for not getting any Indian into the ICC Elite panel.

Subsequently, the BCCI came up with the idea of inviting cricketers for the job and planned two separate categories —cricketers and non-cricketers — to take up the umpiring examination and subsequently fast-track them —depending on performance — into the ICC panel. The board has also shown their preference for ‘cricketers’ category’ but with all big names keeping out, this has come as a body blow to their efforts.

Speaking to The Indian Express, executive secretary Prof Ratnarkar Shetty admitted: “The board is disappointed over the response. We wanted to attract more international players with our initiative. We may not have any big names here, but who knows, we may have a brilliant umpire in the list.”

Among other prominent first-class players enrolled for the examination to be conducted in the second week of September include Anathapadmanabhan from Kerela, S Mahesh from Tamil Nadu, former Punjab left-arm spinner Bharti Vij, Hyderabad’s R Shridhar, Nikhil Patwardhan and Madangopal Rao.

The BCCI had, twice before, shown such an initiative but on both occasions the attitude of the Board had left much to be desired. Bishen Singh Bedi, Jayanthi Lal, Syed Kirmani were failed (only Venkatraghavan qualified) and some years on, both Yashpal Sharma and Maninder Singh quit umpiring ‘disgusted’ over the board’s attitude towards them and failing to keep the promise of fast-tracking them.

Bansal, a member of the umpiring committee, differs a bit. “I once asked Sunil Gavaskar why didn’t he take up umpiring. He told me, ‘I just stood in there for four overs and then I came out. I can’t do this.’ So umpiring is not everybody’s cup of tea.

“Also, every player thinks within a year he will be put straight into the ICC Elite panel. It’s not done like that; fast-tracking doesn’t mean next year you will officiate a Test match. There might be a grudge over this issue. But this time the Board is very sincere, and that’s what matters,” he added.

But the players seem divided in taking up umpiring because, they think the remuneration of umpires is nothing compared to lucrative coaching offers.

• Good response for Ranji panel

Meanwhile, 134 applicants took the written test on Sunday evening under the non-cricketers’ category for the Ranji Trophy panel. Conducted by DDCA on behalf of the board, the test, which lasted for three hours, included both subjective and objective type questions. Venkatraghavan, Ramaswamy and BCCI joint secretary MP Pandove were among those who supervised the examination. The interview, medical and practical tests will be held later.