Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has opened up on the “very ordinary standard” of umpiring in the first test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur. Umpires Virender Sharma and Nitin Menon came under the scanner after they made a few wrong decisions. Notably, New Zealand opener Tom Latham turned to the DRS thrice.

While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra revealed that he has “lost count” of how many times Latham was given out. He said: “We once again saw the same thing. Umpiring has been of a very ordinary standard. Tom Latham was given out like Shubman Gill but it turned out to be an inside edge. Nitin Menon, who is usually very good, the standard has fallen there as well… How many times did it happen today with Tom Latham? I have actually lost count. On one occasion there was no edge but the bat hit the pad, and the umpire gave him out then do you know what he [would have] said?”

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He continued: “This umpire doesn’t like my face or what?” There was one more when Ravichandran Ashwin crossed the return crease, it should have been a no-ball but wasn’t given.”

However, Tom Latham and Young have added a stunning unbeaten 129-run stand on Day 2 before the stumps, successfully surviving India’s spin attack and experienced pacers on a pitch that stayed low and had some turn too as well.

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On the other hand, Aakash Chopra has also opened up on facilitating members of the ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires to officiate in Test matches as well. Currently, 11 umpires on the panel, including Nitin Menon.

Aakash Chopra concluded: “Umpiring standards have been very, very ordinary… It’s not about the neutral umpires, it’s about the Elite Panel of Umpires. That is very important if you want to keep the umpiring standards up.”