The International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept the match officials roster for the 2026-27 international season exactly the same as before, with Nitin Menon remaining the only Indian on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. The ICC announced the decision after completing its annual assessment process, confirming that the current lineup of elite match officials will continue into the upcoming campaign.
ICC retains the same elite officiating line-up
After its routine year-end review, the ICC decided not to make any changes to the Emirates ICC Elite Panels for the 2026-27 season. The governing body’s Umpire Selection Panel carried out a detailed evaluation of officials’ performances across international cricket before arriving at the conclusion to retain the existing elite group of umpires and match referees.
Indian representation across elite panels
Among the officials selected for the 2026-27 season, India continues to have a presence at the highest level in two separate roles. Nitin Menon stays as the sole Indian umpire in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. On the match referee side, former India pacer Javagal Srinath continues to be the only Indian in the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
- Nitin Menon remains India’s lone representative on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
- Javagal Srinath continues as India’s only member in the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
What ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta praised the decision to keep the panels unchanged, pointing to stability and high standards in international officiating. In the ICC release, Gupta said the re-selection reflects the consistency that has become synonymous with officiating at the top level.
Gupta also highlighted the ability of officials to make decisions with clarity and confidence under pressure, regardless of format or playing conditions. He added that such consistency offers reassurance not just to players and teams, but also to fans watching matches across the cricket calendar.
He further said, on behalf of the ICC, that congratulations are due to all members of the panels for their re-selection.
Umpire Selection Panel and the elite rosters for 2026-27
The selection review was conducted by an ICC Umpire Selection Panel comprising ICC General Manager – Cricket Wasim Khan, former English Premier League referee Mike Riley, former international umpire and umpire coach Peter Manuel, and former India batter and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. Following the panel’s assessment of performances across international cricket, the ICC confirmed the following elite officials for the 2026-27 season.
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 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)
