Indian umpire S Ravi will officiate as one of the on-field umpires for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) between India and South Africa, in Chennai. His urgent inclusion in the ongoing series follows the withdrawal of the umpire originally scheduled to officiate, Aleem Dar, after threats from activists of right-wing political party Shiv Sena. Ravi’s inclusion will make this an ODI having two Indians as on-field umpires in India, something Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have agreed to.
The change in personnel has required umpiring officials to be altered for the Test series between Pakistan and England in the UAE. Ravi, who served as the third umpire in the first Test in Abu Dhabi, was also given to officiate in the second and third Tests in the series, in Dubai and Sharjah. Bruce Oxenford will serve as one of the on-field umpires in both Tests, while Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney will get one game each as an on-field umpire and as a third umpire.
The changes took place after consultation between the four involved boards: the BCCI, CSA, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and England Cricket Board (ECB).
The hasty change in personnel happened after Dar was forced to be exited from India. Members of Shiv Sena had stormed inside the headquarters of the BCCI in Mumbai on Monday, asking for Dar to be removed from the upcoming umpiring responsibilities in India, and for the prevention of talks between the BCCI and the PCB.
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