'Lekin yaha Kohli ko kaise out doge' - Fans react as Nitin Menon umpires in third Test of Ashes 2023 at Headingley

About three weeks ago, Ashes 2023 confirmed Indian umpire Nitin Menon in their umpiring panel for the coveted Test series. During the third Test of the series at Headingley, Menon was finally spotted officiating in the iconic Test series in a proud moment for India. Notably, he is also the only Indian umpire in the Apex Council’s Elite Panel of Umpires.

Advertisment

Menon had earlier been in a conversation with PTI where he talked about how officiating in domestic games has readied him for the Ashes. "It has been an amazing experience working in the Indian sub-continent in the first two years, doing Test matches and then getting to officiate in T20 World Cups in Australia and Dubai. I work with the best match officials and players, which has added to my umpiring experience. I have learned a lot about my own character, how I behave under pressure, so lots of positives."

‘Senior players always try to create pressure on you’ – Nitin Menon

He also mentioned that umpiring in International games is much easier than the high-pressure domestic environments. "When India play in India there is a lot of hype, a lot of big stars in the Indian team, they always try to create pressure on you, they always try to get those 50-50 decisions in favour of them but if we are in control of ourselves under pressure, then we don't focus on what they are trying to do.”

Advertisment

"It just shows that I am strong enough to handle any situation rather than getting worked up by the pressure created by players. That has given me a lot of self-confidence. Leading the Indian international panel of umpires at home has also been a big responsibility. I did not have a lot of experience initially (when he entered the elite panel) but the last three years have helped me grow as an umpire," said the only Indian in the elite panel.

Here's how fans reacted:

"Main rehta to pakka out deta bc" 💀

— Sankalp Pise (@Saankaalppp_) July 6, 2023

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣he will give kohli out even in this test🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

— Phoenix (@anas081081) July 6, 2023

Will give Smith out everytime they appeal 😢

— 🇦🇺✨. (@ritik______raj) July 6, 2023

What’s memorable? Pak umpire Asad umpired last match

— Arun B (@realarun82) July 6, 2023

Virat Kohli the happiest man on the planet.

— Mayur Jain (@MAYUR448) July 6, 2023

Lowest point of eng cricket😭

— MESSI 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@Goatofthisera) July 6, 2023

Will be memorable for Smith 😭

— CYCLOTRON (@hardik280752441) July 6, 2023

Unreal downfall for ashes 🙏😷

— Nishant (@133at_SL) July 6, 2023