Sri Lanka umpire Kumar Dharmasena SNUBS IPL 2020 offer for officiating in SL-Ban Tests?

Indian Premier League is arguably one of biggest and most popular franchise-based T20 leagues in world. Players, commentators and match officials alike, are er to be a part of cash-rich league. However, Sri Lanka-based umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who is one of Elite Umpires of International Cricket Council (ICC), recently declined to officiate in upcoming IPL 2020, which is scheduled to take place in UAE from September 19. decision could come as a huge surprise as Dharmasena has been a regular feature in competition.

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Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2020: Kumar Dharmasena t keen on umpiring in IPL 2020

Kumar Dharmasena is one of best umpires in cricket at moment, who has an ermous amount of experience in officiating at international level. However, Kumar Dharmasena has snubbed IPL 2020 for officiating as one of on-field umpires during Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2020 series, scheduled to commence on October 14. It is likely that Dharmasena's apprehensions to travel to UAE due to COVID-19 and fact that match officials from home country of an international tour are allowed to officiate for time-being, could have played a role in decision to be near home.

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Sources told Daily News that ICC has already named Kumar Dharmasena as Elite Umpire and Ranjan Madugalle as Match Referee for all Sri Lankan home assignments until July 31, 2021. source furr said that three-Test matches against Bangladesh would probably be shared by Kumar Dharmasena along with Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Raveendra Wimalasiri and Lyndon Hannibal with Preth Rambukwella as reserve umpire.

BCCI generally hires around six foreign Elite umpires during IPL. It was expected that re would be more Elite umpires for this year’s edition of cash-rich league since re is international cricket happening during IPL 2020 window. However, board is still looking for umpires.

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Among Elite umpires who have given ir d for IPL 2020 are Chris Gaffaney from New Zealand, Richard Illingworth and Michael Gough from England. Apart from m, India’s Nitin Men, who recently made it to ICC Elite Panel, has also confirmed his availability for lucrative league. Anil Chaudhary, C Shamshuddin, Virender Sharma and KN Ananthapadmanabhan and former Elite panel umpire S Ravi are also on list of umpires for IPL 2020.

Lasith Malinga opts out of IPL 2020

However, Dharmasena is t only Sri Lankan to skip IPL 2020. Recently, Sri Lanka speedster Lasith Malinga had pulled out of IPL 2020. Australian spearhead pacer James Pattinson has been signed by Mumbai Indians as a replacement for Lasith Malinga for Dream11 IPL 2020 season. development comes after Lasith Malinga had requested unavailability for season due to personal reasons, i.e. to be with his family back home in Sri Lanka.

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