BCCI Delays Umpiring Structure Overhaul Despite Performance Concerns

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put off a decision regarding a proposed restructuring of its umpiring system. The proposal, presented by the Umpires Committee, suggests moving from the current four-group structure (A+, A, B, and C) to a two-group system. The Apex Council, however, has opted to postpone a decision, signaling a need for further review before implementing such changes.

The Umpires Committee, comprised of Amish Saheba, K Hariharan, and Sudhir Asnani, argued that the existing structure does not accurately reflect on-field performance. Their presentation highlighted instances where umpires from lower groups (B and C) have demonstrated superior performance compared to those in the higher echelons (A+ and A), particularly in crucial matches like knockout games. This discrepancy has led to situations where higher-ranked umpires, despite perceived underperformance, receive preferential treatment in terms of match assignments and compensation.

The committee's proposal aims to address these inconsistencies. A key component involves standardizing daily fees for all umpires at Rs. 40,000, eliminating the current disparity where A+ and A group umpires earn Rs. 40,000, while B and C group umpires receive Rs. 30,000. To incentivize peak performance, the committee suggested a higher daily rate of Rs. 50,000 for umpires officiating in knockout matches, fostering a competitive environment.

Furthermore, the committee emphasized the need for a robust performance review system, leveraging match referee reports to provide comprehensive umpire assessments. They also highlighted the need to upgrade existing camera and recording equipment, which they stated is outdated. The committee suggested a system where 75% of the performance evaluation is based on the Match Referee's report and 25% on the Umpires Committee report.

The existing promotion and demotion system within the umpiring structure was also identified as a point of concern. The committee noted that the current formula doesn't adequately address the performance gap between groups, making it difficult to promote deserving umpires from lower groups while addressing underperformance in higher groups. The committee is advocating for performance-based postings, irrespective of group affiliation.

Currently, the BCCI has 186 umpires across the four groups. The A+ group consists of 10 umpires, including five ICC panel umpires and five BCCI panel umpires. The A group has 20 umpires, with a few nearing retirement. Group B has 58 umpires, and Group C includes 26 new additions. Several umpires are expected to retire in the coming years due to age constraints.

With the Apex Council's decision to defer the restructuring, the BCCI is considering forming a committee to further evaluate the proposal and its potential impact on the overall umpiring ecosystem. This delay suggests a cautious approach to ensure any changes implemented effectively address the identified performance concerns and contribute to a more equitable and efficient umpiring system.

Editor’s note: This article was independently written by the Scoopliner Editorial Team using publicly available information.