Seven umpires from across the country, including one from the city, have got call from Indian Premier League (IPL) for Twenty20
tournament to be played in South Africa. City-based umpire Sanjay Hazare, nephew of legendry cricketer Vijay Hazare, has been contacted by the IPL authorities.

All the seven have been sent emails by the IPL authorities asking them about their visa documents and other papers. Sources said four of the umpires, including Hazare, have only first class match experience.

When contacted, Hazare told TOI, “I have got an offer of umpiring from IPL. I am awaiting further communication in this connection.”

This is for the first time that any umpire from the city has got an offer for IPL. Hazare has umpired in Ranji matches, Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy and Sir Vijay Hazare Knock-Out One day Trophy till date. The other umpires contacted are S Ravi from Tamil Nadu, S Ranade from Pune, Sudhir Asnani from Indore, Shahvir Tarapore from Karnataka, K Hariharan from Delhi and Amish Saheba from Ahmedabad.

Sources said last year umpires with experience of only international matches were picked up by IPL but this time the management has also approached those having experience in first-class matches. The umpires are however yet to receive the schedule of the tournament. “We have just received the e-mail regarding umpiring offer but no official talks have been held with the IPL,” said one of the umpires.

Source – timesofindia.indiatimes.com