Players, umpires to have form, I like to make the most of it: Nitin Menon

Nitin Menon, who showed remarkable accuracy in his first series as an ICC ‘Elite Panel’ umpire, feels that the pressure situation is the best for him and like cricketers, he too wants to make this purple patch. The 37-year-old from Indore was inducted into the ICC elite panel of umpires amid the COVID-19 epidemic in June last year, but had to wait until this February for his first major assignment. With the ICC forced to appoint local umpires in a bilateral series, Menon participated in five T20Is and three ODIs in addition to three Tests in all four Tests between India and England.

By the end of this, he was seen with praise for his brilliant performance.

Speaking to PTI, Menon, who is now winning in Chennai before the IPL, was looking after his beloved.

Menon said, “The last two months have been very good. It gives a great satisfaction when people notice and appreciate your good work.”

To make it to the finals of the World Cup Championship, both teams bounced back from impressive overseas victories, challenging pitches.

“For the white-ball series, it was between the two top-ranked teams in the world. Considering all these factors, I am glad that we did well as an umpiring team,” Menon said as the only third Indian Added to. ICC’s elite following S. Venkataraghavan and S. Ravi.

As the two top teams of the world fought it out in between, Menon was a symbol of peace. Of the 40 referrals taken against his decisions during the series, only five were retained.

More importantly, out of the 35 referrals taken against his lbw decisions, only two were overturned. DRS, especially the umpire’s call, was once again a big deal through the series.

In a typical scenario, Menon should not work in back-to-back games for more than two months. So, how did they cope with the high pressure scenarios after the match?

“I believe umpiring is about mental fortitude. More pressure is better focus. If we are under pressure we can give our best performance, that is a true reflection of how strong we are mentally.

It is not new for me to participate in back-to-back matches due to the amount of domestic cricket held in India. On average, we do eight four-day first-class games on the trophy in the Ranji Trophy along with the journey. From one place to another.

He said, “Even in the IPL, we do about 14-16 matches without a break. So all the experience in this series has really helped me. Like the players, the umpires also have the form. I always feel that when in good form, I should. ” Maximum games without a break, ”said Menon, who played two List A games for Madhya Pradesh and comes from a family of umpires.

With his relentless performance, Menon has become much closer than his dream assignment – the Ashes – but for this to happen, COVID-related restrictions have to be loosened.

When at home, Menon likes to watch sports on television and when he is in the middle of the action, he makes a conscious effort to enjoy it even in tens of situations.

“I enjoy it (in the middle) well. If I don’t enjoy my job as an umpire, it will reflect on my performance. Enjoying the game is another way to release pressure. Our Nearby is the best seat in the house. To watch the game, “he said.

The soft-spoken official said, “Whenever I get time, I make it a point to watch international cricket because it helps me professionally. I have especially enjoyed watching the Ashes when I used to play cricket.”

After non-stop umpiring for two months, Menon got only two days at home when he left for Chennai before the IPL, too much from one bio-bubble to another.

The bio-safe life has been tough on the players and Menon considers it equally challenging for match officials.

“It’s very challenging. It’s hard for days because we can’t get out of the hotel. This is where a good atmosphere is building. We’re like a family in a bubble. We have to take care of each other. Hogi, gotta build. Make sure our partners are in the right frame of mind, help them, meet as often as possible and spend time together, “he said.

Menon did not forget to mention the contribution of ICC match referee Javagal Srinath.

Promoted

“We were lucky to have Javagal Srinath as our match referee, the experience he had as a player and the match referee really helped us,” he said.

“Not many people know about the contribution of the ICC umpire coach as to how they guide and groom us. They often play an important role, which ensures that we remain focused and positive,” he said.