Mumbai: After three Australians and India’s Ravi Ashwin withdrew from IPL 2021, umpires Nitin Menon and his Australian counterpart Paul Reiffel followed suit citing personal reasons.
According to reports Menon has returned to his home in Indore where his mother and wife are both infected by Coronavirus. On the other hand, former Australian fast bowler Reiffel went home a few days ago amid concerns about the Australian government stopping flights to India.
“Yes, Nitin has left as his immediate family members have COVID-19 and he is currently not in a mental state to conduct games. Nitin has a small child to look after as his mother and wife have tested positive while Reiffel informed BCCI that he fears not being able to go home due to the Australian government’s decision banning all flights from India,” said a BCCI official.
“The BCCI already had several local umpires as back-up so they will be officiating in games in which Menon and Reiffel were scheduled to stand.” The IPL, which started on April 9, will run till May 30.
However, the BCCI is going ahead with the tournament and CEO Hemang Amin has assured all players and support staff that they remain safe in the bio-bubble. BCCI is likely to replace Menon and Reiffel with two of its own pool of umpires.
With the ongoing Covid-19 crisis is India many players have withdrawal from the cash-rich League event. Recently, Australia’s Adam Jampa, Kane Richardson and Andrew Ty decided to go to Australia. Liam Livingstone of England was exhausted due to the bio bubble and decided to return home.
Menon and Reiffel are the first two match officials to withdraw from the IPL. Ashwin went home after his family members tested positive.
