On Monday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to included the Indian umpire, Nitin Menon in his elite panel of Umpires for the upcoming 2020-21 season, as he will be replacing England’s Nigel Llong. The 36-year-old, who has officiated in three Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 T20Is, is only the third Indian umpire from India to make it to the elite panel.

The earlier umpires in the elite panel were former captain Srinivas Venkatraghavan and Sundaram Ravi, who was removed from the panel last year.

A selection panel that features ICC General Manager (Cricket) Geoff Allardice (Chairman), former cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, and match referees Ranjan Madugalle and David Boon, decided to pick Menon, who was earlier part of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires.

ALSO READ: ICC To Start Chairman Nomination From Next Week

Expressing the gratitude for the same, in the ICC statement, Menon said, “It’s a great honor and matter of pride for me to be named in the Elite panel. To be officiating regularly along with the leading umpires and referees of the world is something that I always dreamt of and the feeling has yet to sink in. Having already officiated in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is as well as in ICC events, I understand the great responsibility that comes with the job.”

He further added, “I look forward to the challenges and will do my best at every opportunity I get. I also feel this is a responsibility on me to take Indian umpires forward and help them by sharing my experiences. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, BCCI, and ICC for their support and belief in my ability over the years.”

ALSO READ: Dwayne Bravo Make ‘Helicopter Song’ For MS Dhoni

On the other hand, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, Adrian Griffith in the ICC statement said that Menon has managed to improve his rating with very consistent performances, and he congratulated the umpire for being selected to the Elite panel.