February 6, 2025 - Indian umpire Nitin Menon and match referee Javagal Srinath, both included in the ICC Elite Panel, have said no to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ODI Champions Trophy. The games will be held in Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi) and UAE (Dubai) from February 19 to March 9.

According to reports, umpire Nitin Menon declined to travel to Pakistan citing personal reasons. Menon is the lone Indian in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.

“The ICC wanted to put him (Menon) on the Champions Trophy roster. But he decided against travelling to Pakistan due to personal reasons," a BCCI source said.

Additionally, match referee and former India fast bowler Srinath has requested leave from the ICC saying he has been working continuously for the last four months and now needs some rest. Therefore, he will not be able to provide his services for the Champions Trophy.

As a result, there will be no Indian official at the Champions Trophy. The ICC has announced 12 umpires for the tournament, none of whom are from India. David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle and Andrew Pycroft, will comprise the three-member team of referees for the ICC games. They are all members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees of which Srinath is also a member, the only Indian member to be so.

The Indian team will also not travel to Pakistan due to security reasons, and their matches will be held in Dubai.