ICC included K N Ananthapadmanabhan in the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires. The 50-year-old said that he was expecting the nomination. He referred to the nomination as a result of his perseverance and hard work.
Ananthapadmanabhan said that could sense that he was inching closer to the nomination as he stood as an on-field empire in all important matches in the last season.
He expressed his happiness on getting the break. He said, “After Nitin Menon was selected to the Elite Panel, there was an opening in the International Panel and I thought I had a good chance. I had umpired in some important matches last season like the Ranji Trophy final, Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy final, IPL, the Test between India-A and England-A and was part of the umpires exchange programme with South Africa.”
The former Kerala captain began his umpiring career in 2006. He stated that umpiring made him feel that he was close to cricket even after retirement. It was the closest and easiest way to relive a cricketer’s life for him.
He also said that the former India captain S Venkataraghavan and former Elite Panel umpire Simon Taufel influenced him. He learnt a lot from the two.
Ananthapadmanabhan also said senior umpires like Shamsuddin and S. Ravi used to share their experience and help others like him.
According to him, the most memorable moment in his career was umpiring from both ends for a session during last season’s Ranji Trophy final.
“It was a high-pressure match and the other umpire, Shamsuddin, got injured. He couldn’t take the field on the second day. The replacement umpire was due to arrive only in the afternoon. I was told to umpire from both ends till he arrived. And I did a good job without any complaints,” he said.