'He will miss Kohli in the series' - Fans react to Nitin Menon's selection in umpires panel for Ashes 2023

Nitin Menon (Image credit: Twitter)

The Indian Cricket Board has confirmed that Nitin Menon, the only Indian on the Cricket Governing Body's elite panel, will officiate in the upcoming Ashes in England. It was the 39-year-old's dream to be a part of the historic series between England and Australia, and that will come true this time by being the on-field umpire in the third and fourth Tests.

The five-match Test series will be held in June and July. "He will be officiating in the Ashes,” an Indian Cricket Board official told PTI.

The third Test will be played in Leeds from July 6 to 10 and the fourth Test in Manchester from July 19 to 23. Menon's on-field partners in Leeds and Manchester will be Sri Lanka’s Kumar Dharmasena and Trinidad’s Joel Wilson respectively. The Indore-born umpire will be the TV umpire for the final Test at the Oval in London from July 27-31.

My dream series is Ashes without a doubt: Nitin Menon

The former right-handed batter Menon, who was named in the elite panel in 2020, had earlier said that it is his dream to officiate in the Ashes. He could have umpired earlier itself in the iconic Test series, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, Cricket Governing Body was forced to use local umpires.

“My dream series will be Ashes without a doubt. That is the only series I watch on TV. The atmosphere, the way the series is fought, is something I want be involved in. Whether in England or Australia I would love to be part of it,” Menon had told PTI.

Menon, who represented Madhya Pradesh in List A cricket, has so far officiated in 18 Tests, 42 ODIs and 40 T20s. He is currently busy with the ongoing 16th edition of the Indian T20 League.

Others in the Cricket Governing Body's elite panel are: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa), Ahsan Raza (Pakistan), Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Michael Gough (England), Menon, Paul Reiffel (Australia), Richard Illingworth (England), Richard Kettleborough (England), Rodney Tucker (Australia), and Wilson.

This is how Twitter reacted to Nitin Menon's selection in umpires panel for Ashes 2023:

3rd umpire's work is going to be increased.

— Muhammad Abu bakar (@abubakar_django) April 4, 2023

Ashes, please have some standard

— Aman_18 (@Amanxd18) April 4, 2023

Mood rn after reading this pic.twitter.com/hdV4TSe2BN

— Fluky Cricketer (@flukycricketer) April 4, 2023

Looks like the 3rd Umpire is going to have his work cut out in this year's Ashes! 😅

— Fantasy Cricket Tips To Win (@FantasyTipToWin) April 4, 2023

He would miss Kohli in the Ashes.

— movieman (@movieman777) April 4, 2023

Koi batao usko Virat nhi khelta Ashes mein

— AMAN (@Amancricrag_02) April 4, 2023

Good as his dream is now fulfilled.

— Saket kumar (@AmmSaket) April 4, 2023

Sadly Kohli isn't playing.

— F#4 (@Revived_CAT) April 4, 2023