MUMBAI: Two heroes of India's under-19 team which emerged triumphant in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia under Virat Kohli's captaincy, have become BCCI umpires now.
Opener Tanmay Srivastava, 33, and pacer Ajitesh Argal, 34, have cleared an umpiring exam conducted by the BCCI for retired cricketers in Ahmedabad in June-the results were out on July 26-and are now eligible to stand in first-class matches shortly.
"They will attend a BCCI orientation programme and seminar to be held on August 17-19 in Ahmedabad, and will then officiate in Board conducted games," a source told TOI.
A stylish left-hander from Uttar Pradesh, Srivastava had scored 262 runs in six games @52.40 in the 2008 U-19 World Cup, including 46 - the highest score by any batsman on either side - in the final against South Africa at Kuala Lumpur while Madhya Pradesh's Argal was adjudged the 'Man of the Final' for his spell of two for 7 in five overs, as India edged out South Africa by 12 runs by the D/L method in a low-scoring game.
In 90 first-class games, Srivastava scored 4918 runs at an average of 34.39, with 10 hundreds and 27 fifties. In List A cricket, he scored 1728 runs in 44 games@44.30, with seven hundreds and 10 fifties. Argal took 24 wickets in 10 first-class games@31.29. In fact, of the 37 former cricketers who cleared the exam, 17 have played First-Class cricket.
"It feels good to be in the BCCI umpiring panel. I want to serve the game, and this is the best way to do that, I guess. It's just the start of a new role for me. I was doing well in coaching, but I want to be at the top, and umpiring is the best option to do that, I guess, where I can represent India in the International Cricket Council. After playing so much domestic cricket, I can officiate the game in a better way. It's a challenging job. I will follow the process," Srivastava told TOI.
Recalling that memorable Under-19 World Cup triumph under Kohli, he said, "It was the best moment in my cricketing career. As a team we did well. I was bless to play and share the dressing room with the greats of the game. I'm still in touch with everyone from that batch"
"I'm thankful to the BCCI and the Baroda Cricket Association for providing me with this wonderful opportunity. Cricket has always been my passion and umpiring is something by which I can stay closely associated with this wonderful game. Umpiring has always fascinated me as a cricketer and I am looking forward to this challenge in my new phase of journey ahead," said Argal.
Srivastava also dabbled with coaching. "I'm a level 2 BCCI coach, and was the batting coach of the Under-16 batch at the National Cricket Academy this year. Last year, I was the fielding/assistant coach of the Jammu & Kashmir team, as well as a scout for RCB," he said.
Sisters become umpires too
Meanwhile, for the first time, two sisters-Ritika and Nidhi Bule-from Indore have become BCCI panel umpires. Nidhi has played for the Indian women's team, while Ritika has represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket.
