Jay Shah's ICC Updates Elite Panel Umpires. Image Credits: AFP
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday retained an unchanged list of match officials for the 2026-27 international season. The list also revealed that only one Indian umpire has managed to keep his job as the ICC unveiled the new list.
After a thorough evaluation by the governing body's Umpire Selection Panel, the ICC made the decision to maintain the current set of elite umpires and match referees following its annual review.
Nitin Menon remains the lone Indian umpire on the ICC elite panel
Nitin Menon is the only Indian umpire included in the latest ICC Elite Panel List of Umpires for the 2026-27 cricketing season. Menon has been part of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires since 2020 and has managed to be retained by the governing body during each cycle since then.
Menon had made his international umpiring debut in a T20I in 2017. His first ODI assignment was a match between Afghanistan and Ireland on 15 March 2017. His Test umpire debut came in 2019 when Afghanistan and West Indies clashed in India, becoming the 62nd Indian to umpire in a Test.
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ICC Elite Panel of Umpires (2026-27): Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Christopher Gaffaney (New Zealand), Adrian Holdstock (South Africa), Richard Illingworth (England), Richard Kettleborough (England), Nitin Menon (India), Allahuddien Paleker (South Africa), Ahsan Raza (Pakistan), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (Bangladesh), Rodney Tucker (Australia), Alex Wharf (England).
Javagal Srinath, the only Indian match referee
On the other hand, former India speedster Javagal Srinath remains the only Indian in the list of ICC match referees for the 2026-27 season. Srinath had a storied career for India from 1991 to 2003, where he played four World Cups for India and led the Indian pace bowling attack for the majority of the 90s.
He ended his career with 236 Test wickets in 67 matches and 315 wickets in 229 ODIs. He was part of the Indian team that played in the final of the ICC World Cup 2003; that was also his final international game for India.
ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees (2026-27): Jeff Crowe (New Zealand), Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka), Andrew Pycroft (Zimbabwe), Richie Richardson (West Indies), Javagal Srinath (India).
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta says the decision to retain the same officials shows consistency
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta has stated that the decision to retain the same officials for the upcoming international calendar of 2027-28 shows how well the officials have done their job and consistency at the highest level.
"The decision to retain the Emirates ICC Elite Panels for the 2026-27 season reflects the consistency and high standards that have come to define officiating at the international level. What stands out is not just the quality of decision-making but the ability to operate with clarity and confidence in high-pressure situations across formats and conditions. That consistency provides assurance to players, teams, and fans alike.
On behalf of the ICC, I would like to congratulate all members of the panels on their re-selection,” ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said.
The umpire selection panel included ICC GM Wasim Khan, Mike Riley, Peter Manuel, and Sanjay Manjrekar, and they considered the performances of umpires and referees from across the international game before deciding to retain the existing panel.
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