India will continue with Bangladesh umpire Sharafuddaula Saikat as the third umpire for the final ODI between India and New Zealand. Despite the recent controversy in the U19 World Cup, BCCI has not taken any action against the Bangladesh umpire.
The recent controversies between India and Bangladesh have been fueled by the handshake controversy between the two teams during the recent Under-19 World Cup match. India and Pakistan have started the practice of violating handshakes in sports, which has now extended to the India-Bangladesh conflict.
However, despite the recent move yesterday, the BCCI has decided not to escalate the dispute further and has decided to sort things out. After winning the group-stage game, the Indian team also shook hands with the opposition players.
BCCI continues talks with Bangladesh umpires for the third ODI against New Zealand
Sharafuddaula Saikat is the first umpire from Bangladesh to be included in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, and he has been a part of several high-profile competitions such as the Ashes and several important Test matches in the WTC on previous occasions.
The ICC had clearly stated that the umpire does not require any permission from the BCB to continue officiating in matches in India during the India vs New Zealand tour, as he is contracted by the ICC and not under the BCB.
The BCCI has continued to name him among the match officials as they enter Indore for the final match of the ODI series. The match officials for today’s game include Bangladesh’s Sharafuddaula Saikat, who will remain the third umpire. Ananth Padmanabhan and Richard Illingworth are the on-field officials. Rohan Pandit is the fourth umpire and the match referee is Javagal Srinath.
BREAKING: Indore ODI umpire: Bangladesh’s Sarfudullah Saikat will remain the third umpire. Anatha Padmanabhan and Richard Illingworth are the onfield officials. Rohan Pandit fourth umpire
Match Referee: Javagal Srinath. #IndvsNZ #3rd ODI– Vijay Tagore (@vijaymirror) 18 January 2026
Also read: BCB issues damage control statement under pressure from BCCI after India-Bangladesh Under-19 handshake controversy
Many more to follow….
