Mumbai, Aug 9: A part of India’s legendary spin quartet, former India Test captain, the first and so far, the only Indian to have featured on the ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires and one of the most respected match referees. Add to the list his tenure as Team India’s manager and an administrator and it’s amazing how Srinivas Venkataraghavan has excelled in whatever cricketing role he has assumed.

It was hence, a no brainer for the decision-makers at the National Academy of Umpires (NAU) in Nagpur to choose the 67-year-old as the institution’s first Director Umpiring. Inaugurated in May 2010, the NAU, under the sharp and vigilant eyes of Venkataraghavan, has been doing all it takes to fill the vacuum of Indian umpires at the international level.

The former off-spinner is currently overseeing the pre-season workshops held by the NAU. The workshops have been divided into five batches over the duration between July 26 and August 10. Back from one such session in Nagpur, Venkataraghavan shared his experience with bcci.tv.

The chat also encompassed his views on the standard of umpiring in India, world umpiring on the whole and the role of technology in the modern game.

Excerpts:

What’s your take on the quality of umpires produced in India?

In the last 3-4 years the quality has definitely improved by leaps and bounds, there’s no two-way about it. In the National Academy for Umpires in Nagpur, mentors Mr. S.V. Kulkarni and Mr. S.K. Bansal have given a lot of input and the quality of umpires coming in at the lower level has undergone a tremendous change. I’m sure in the near future the Indian umpires will shine at the international level.

How would you describe the continuous absence of an Indian umpire on the ICC’s Elite Panel?

It has got to do with various factors. I dare say that Indian umpires are second to none as far as the theoretical and knowledge aspect is concerned. If the Indian umpires are tested in writing or orally for the laws of cricket, they’ll succeed with flying colours. It’s just a matter of converting all that knowledge into consistently good decisions on the field of play. It’s important to utilise the knowledge to the optimum in the pressure situations. The practical orientation and exercises to boost their self-confidence is probably what our umpires lack a bit. And that’s exactly the area on which we’re working at the academy in Nagpur.

What kind of work is being undertaken in that regard?

I’ve just come back from an umpires’ seminar that we held at the academy where we had quite a fruitful discussion. What we do there is besides imparting theoretical and technical knowledge, we ask the umpires to come out and share the difficult situations they might have faced on the field and try to find out a solution to that. Also, the BCCI has called Cricket Australia’s team to give lectures to our umpires and we also have an exchange programme in place with Australia and England. Our umpires will go there and theirs will come to India and officiate in matches.

Who are the most promising umpires you see in the country?

We have selected a panel of four umpires and have recommended their names to the ICC. S Ravi, Sudhir Asnani, Vineet Kulkarni and C Shamsuddin form that panel. They’ll get opportunities to stand in the ODIs and then graduate to Test level. This will give them a window to get into the Elite panel.

In order to get the best out of the umpires, it’s important to provide them with good facilities. Do you think we’re up to the mark in that aspect?

I think the BCCI is doing a wonderful job in that regards. The umpires today are very, very well looked after. When I started out as an umpire, we used to travel by train. Today, they travel by air. Also, the BCCI ensures they get to the venue a couple of days before the match in order to acclimatise with the local conditions – the ground, the pitch and the weather. They watch the teams’ practice sessions, gauge the bounce of the wicket, study the outfield, etc. The theoretical knowledge is there, which is very good but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. And on-field performance is what matters in the end.

What according to you is the quality that separates the great umpires from the good ones?

The self-confidence that one brings in is very important. An umpire’s body language should exude confidence and the moment he steps on the field of play, people should know that he’s taken charge of everything that will happen around him. He doesn’t need to be arrogant but he should let the players know who is in control of the game. Mental toughness and sharpness is important. It takes great observation, collection of facts and the right interpretation of the laws of the game to reach at the right decision.

Like the players, do the umpires have to adapt while officiating in the different formats?

Umpiring in Test cricket is much more difficult than the shorter formats because the two men are the only ones in the field for the whole of five days. You have to be both mentally and physically much fitter to succeed at the Test level, just like the players. In ODIs and T20s the umpires are not tested as much as in the longest format. The number of bat-pad decisions goes down to a huge extent in the limited-overs formats. Also, the wicket deteriorates over the period in a Test match and there are numerous close calls with the ball turning and bouncing vividly. The umpires have to be all the more vigilant there.

Of all those you’ve worked with, who was your favourite umpiring colleague?

I liked working with David Shepherd of England. We formed a great team and have done some very good matches. David was certainly one of the greatest umpires.

Who do you think is the best in the business currently?

Aleem Dar is doing a very, very good job. Asad Rauf was bordering on the average a couple of years ago but now he’s doing pretty well. Steve Davies is very good as well. It’s very difficult to pick the best but the ICC has its rating system and Aleem Dar tops it at the moment. Simon Taufell had the top-spot for a long time and deservedly so.

The extent to which technology should be used in cricket is a moot point. What are your views on the same?

I have nothing against its use as long as the technology is perfect, which is also the stand taken by the BCCI. If even with the third-umpire, the TV and all the other technical equipments you’re not able to arrive at the right decision every time, it means the technology is deficient. Once the grey areas are sorted out and the flaws are completely eradicated, probably the BCCI will accept it.

Do you believe the over-use of technology demeans the role of the on-field umpire?

That is very true; it does demean the role. I have no problems if the use the technology is limited to where it is essential. The on-field umpire cannot see exactly what’s happening 75 yards away, whether the catch is clean, whether the fielder has touched the boundary line, etc. Technology can be used in those cases and also to determine the outcome of close run-out calls.