Ahead of Champions Trophy, even India's match officials toe BCCI line on Pakistan

IF THE BOARD of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has its way, no Indian would ever set foot on Pakistani soil.

- Tushar Bhaduri

IF THE BOARD of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has its way, no Indian would ever set foot on Pakistani soil. The Indian team is already set to play its matches of the ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE, and skipper Rohit Sharma was always unlikely to cross the border if there was any opening ceremony, joint press conference or photoshoot of all the captains. Now, the only Indians in the elite panels of umpires and match referees, Nitin Menon and Javagal Srinath, respectively, have said that they will not be officiating in the tournament.

With neutral umpires and match referees in operation at ICC events, the two wouldn't have been assigned matches in the UAE, and would have had to stand in matches in Pakistan if they went for the Champions Trophy.

While Menon cited "personal reasons" for his decision not to travel to Pakistan, former India pacer Srinath chose the Champions Trophy to go on leave on the grounds that he had been away from home a lot during the last few months. The actual reason may not have been mentioned, but nobody was left in any doubt over what it was. Now, the richest, most powerful and most influential entity in world cricket won't have any representation among match officials at a global ICC event.

The withdrawal may have been prompted by the fact that if Menon and Srinath had gone to Pakistan, questions would have been asked about the 'security concerns' that kept the Indian players away. There was a time when Indians officiated in matches in Pakistan and umpires from that country came across and even stood in IPL games. But those must be different times!