ICC retain Nitin Menon in Elite Panel of Umpires, Jayaraman Madangopal promoted to Emerging Panel
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday included Allahudien Paleker of South Africa and England’s Alex Wharf in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires which features Nitin Menon as the only Indian, while Jayaraman Madangopal has been promoted to the Emerging Panel.
Michael Gough and Joel Wilson will make way for the two new entrants in Palekar and Wharf.
According to BCCI sources, the 50-year-old Madangopal has been promoted to the Emerging Panel which makes him eligible to officiate in overseas Tests and ODIs. Former Tamil Nadu player Madangopal has so far officiated in one Test, 22 ODIs and 42 T20Is.
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Meanwhile, Menon is ranked second behind Richard Illingworth in the Elite Panel of Umpires.
Paleker, a former first-class cricketer from South Africa, has officiated on-field in four Tests, 23 ODIs and 67 T20Is in men’s international cricket and a total of 17 women’s international games — having also officiated at major ICC tournaments such as men’s T20 World Cup 2024, and the Under-19 men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.
Wharf brings a wealth of experience from his 16-year first-class career, having also featured in 13 ODIs for England.
Wharf has officiated on-field in seven Tests, 33 ODIs, and 45 T20Is in men’s international cricket, and has stood at the recent ICC men’s and women’s World Cups, the respective men’s and women’s T20 World Cups in 2024 and the men’s Champions Trophy in 2025.Story continues below this ad
ICC chairman Jay Shah gave his warm wishes to the two new entrants, Paleker and Wharf, while also thanking the outgoing umpires, Gough and Wilson.
Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires (2025-26):
Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)
Chropher Gaffaney (New Zealand)
Adrian Holdstock (South Africa)
Richard Illingworth (England)
Richard Kettleborough (England)
Nitin Menon (India)
Allahuddien Paleker (South Africa)
Ahsan Raza (Pakan)
Paul Reiffel (Australia)
Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (Bangladesh)
Rodney Tucker (Australia)
Alex Wharf (England)
