Javagal Srinath and Nitin Menon to skip 2025 Champions Trophy
What's the story
Renowned Indian cricket officials, match referee Javagal Srinath, and umpire Nitin Menon, have decided not to participate in the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The prestigious tournament is scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9.
According to TOI, Menon refused to travel to Pakistan citing personal reasons, while Srinath has sought leave from the International Cricket Council (ICC)
Here's more.
Leave request
Srinath requests leave after extensive travel
Srinath, currently officiating in the ongoing India-England white-ball series, has confirmed his request for leave.
He said an extended period away from home during November, December, and January led him to take the decision.
"Yes, I had asked for leave as I had quite a few days away from home," Srinath told TOI from Nagpur, the venue of the first ODI match.
Official announcement
ICC announces match officials for Champions Trophy
The ICC has announced a panel of 12 umpires and three match referees for the eight-team global tournament, with matches scheduled in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, as well as Dubai in the UAE.
Notably, both Srinath and Menon's names were missing from this list.
Meanwhile, the ICC didn't respond to TOI's queries on their absence from the tournament.
Additionally, The tournament will kick off on February 19, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand.
Umpire lineup
Veteran umpires return for another Champions Trophy
Richard Kettleborough, a veteran of 108 men's ODIs who officiated in the last edition's final in the UK in 2017, is one of the six umpires returning for another Champions Trophy.
The others are Chris Gaffaney, Kumar Dharmasena, Richard Illingworth, Paul Reiffel, and Rod Tucker.
Additionally, Kettleborough and Illingworth will be joined by Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Ahsan Raza, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Alex Wharf, and Joel Wilson.
Official
A look at list of the Champions Trophy officials
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Joel Wilson.
Match Referees: David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft
Record extension
Dharmasena extends record at Champions Trophy
Dharmasena, who has officiated 132 Men's ODIs, will further extend his record for the most ODIs officiated by a Sri Lankan umpire in the ODI format.
He will be accompanied by Kettleborough and Illingworth, who officiated together during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad.