Indian Umpires Set for T20 World Cup 2026 Duties
The International Cricket Council has announced its panel of match officials for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, with Indian umpires featuring prominently in the assignments. Elite Panel umpire Nitin Menon will be officiating in his fourth consecutive T20 World Cup, while fellow Indian Anantha Padmanabhan will make his debut appearance at a major ICC event.
Menon's Milestone Journey and Tournament Role
Nitin Menon, currently the only Indian representative on the prestigious ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, brings extensive experience to the tournament. He has previously officiated at the T20 World Cups in 2021, 2022, and 2024, establishing himself as one of the world's most reliable officials. Menon is set to achieve a significant personal milestone during the tournament, becoming the first Indian umpire to officiate in 150 international matches across all formats.
His tournament duties will commence on the opening day, where he will stand alongside Australian umpire Sam Nogajski for the Group C encounter between Scotland and the West Indies. This assignment follows Menon's recent involvement in high-profile matches, including the first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup between Afghanistan and South Africa.
Padmanabhan's Debut and Other Indian Representation
Anantha Padmanabhan's inclusion marks his first appointment to an ICC global event, representing a significant career advancement for the Indian official. Another experienced Indian umpire, J Madanagopal, has also been named in the panel and will participate in his second T20 World Cup, adding to India's strong representation among the tournament officials.
The ICC has confirmed that 24 officials will serve as on-field umpires during the group stage of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The appointments for the Super Eight and knockout stages will be announced at a later date, allowing for performance-based selections as the tournament progresses.
International Umpiring Landscape
The tournament will feature several notable international umpiring figures. Australian official Rod Tucker leads the all-time list for matches officiated in T20 World Cups with 46 appearances and is poised to reach the 50-match milestone during this edition. His assignments will include high-profile group matches such as England versus Nepal, India against Namibia, and South Africa taking on the United Arab Emirates.
In Sri Lanka, the Group A match between Pakistan and the Netherlands on February 7 will be officiated by experienced duo Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights. Dharmasena, a former Sri Lankan cricketer and member of the 1996 World Cup-winning team, brings immense experience with 37 T20 World Cup matches to his credit, including finals in 2016 and 2022. Knights will be making his T20 World Cup debut while simultaneously completing 50 T20 Internationals as an on-field umpire.
Key Match Appointments and Tournament Structure
The ICC has strategically assigned officials to several marquee group matches. The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in Colombo on February 15 will feature Richard Illingworth and Kumar Dharmasena as on-field umpires. Meanwhile, Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth, who officiated together in the 2024 final, will take charge of the Group B encounter between Australia and Ireland on February 11.
Other distinguished officials named for group stage duties include Richard Kettleborough, Ahsan Raza, Langton Rusere, and Adrian Holdstock, ensuring a diverse and experienced panel representing multiple cricket-playing nations.
Complete Official Panels
The ICC has released comprehensive lists for both match referees and umpires participating in the tournament:
Match Referees: Dean Cosker, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson, Javagal Srinath
Umpires: Roland Black, Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Donovan Koch, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, KNA Padmanabhan, Allahuddien Paleker, Ahsan Raza, Leslie Reifer, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Gazi Sohel, Rod Tucker, Alex Wharf, Raveendra Wimalasiri, Asif Yaqoob
The tournament promises to showcase not only world-class cricket but also exceptional officiating standards, with experienced veterans and promising newcomers working together to ensure fair play and smooth conduct throughout the competition.
