He was churning out data and carefully editing visuals during India’s historic series win over Australia at home in 2001. His job was to analyze India’s day-to-day performance and feed coach John Wright and captain Sourav Ganguly with relevant numbers. From a video analyst of the Indian team, Nandan has come a long way and is now a successful umpire. Named the best umpire at the BCCI Annual Awards 2014-15, Nandan said the award has come at the right time. “The BCCI award is like the icing on the cake as I was just elevated to the international panel two months back. The year 2015 has been a very productive one for me as I even officiated in two games in England and South Africa as part of the umpires exchange programme,” said an elated Nandan. The 52-year-old is currently the fourth Indian umpire on the international panel. He made his debut as a TV umpire during the ODI series against South Africa and was also the TV umpire for the fourth Test in Delhi. In an umpiring career spanning 15 years, Nandan has officiated in 56 first-class games, 28 List A and several other matches conducted by the BCCI. “It took me 15 years to become an international umpire. Though some umpires have graduated to the international level quickly, I am going to take this positively. I have the baggage of experience and that will surely help. To become an elite panel umpire is a dream and I am going to keep working hard.” Nandan led the Karnataka junior team and played for the U-19 team when he was 15. A wicketkeeper-batsman, Nandan spent most of his Ranji Trophy time on the bench as Sadanand Viswanath remained the first-choice keeper. “I was very good in junior level cricket, but got stuck when it came to Ranji Trophy. With Sadanand Viswanath in the team, I was often on reserves.” It was the chequered Ranji career where he played just three games in five seasons that pushed Nandan to take up umpiring. “To be honest, the deep desire of not achieving on the cricket field was always there. I played the Ranji Trophy, but never made a mark. Umpiring is something which is fiercely independent. I am also a Level 1 BCCI coach, but I felt umpiring was my forte and I went ahead.” With Indian umpires gradually making their mark, Nandan felt the steps taken by the BCCI have surely helped. “Officiating in IPL matches gave us a huge boost. The IPL is a big platform. The atmosphere itself is very challenging. When Indian umpires graduate to the international panel, they have already seen the international stars and officiated in matches involving them thanks to the IPL. So there is a sense of familiarity when we officiate at the international level.

“The seminars conducted by Simon Taufel have also been very useful. He has been talking to junior as well as senior umpires and sharing his knowledge, which has again helped.”

Nandan said that while it was impossible to remove the human error, overall standards have improved. “Umpire S. Ravi is on the elite panel and we are all very happy for him. Umpires are bound to make mistakes and you have to accept that. The naked eye cannot compete with 25 cameras that have the option of replays. The Indian umpiring standards are definitely going up. There is an all-round improvement.” Nandan, who had stood ninth in the 10th standard State Board examinations, also has a degree in mechanical engineering and works as Sr. Manager at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru. “To balance my work schedule and umpiring career was a huge challenge. My company understands that I am a BCCI recognized umpire and I have to prioritize umpiring. They have been very co-operative.” Like players, umpires too need to stay fit to ensure that standing for long hours in the field does not result in concentration lapse. “As an umpire, you need to be fit both mentally and physically. I read some motivational books and talk to senior umpires when the going is not good. “When it comes to physical fitness, I do regular walks and light training to keep myself fit. Before the cricket season starts, I officiate in local matches in Bengaluru as it helps me help get into a match routine.”