India's representatives in the ICC's Elite Panel will be notably absent from the upcoming Champions Trophy, with umpire Nitin Menon and match referee Javagal Srinath not featuring in the official list released today. Key absences According to The Times of India (TOI), Menon, India's sole representative in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, has declined to travel to Pakistan citing "personal reasons". Similarly, Srinath, the only Indian in the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, has requested leave from the tournament. Official statements Speaking to TOI from Nagpur, where he is officiating the India-England white-ball series, Srinath explained his absence: "I had asked for leave as I had quite a few days away from home in the month of November, December and January." Menon remained unavailable for comment, while the ICC has not responded to queries regarding the matter. Tournament officials The ICC has appointed three experienced match referees – David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle, and Andrew Pycroft – for the tournament scheduled from February 19 to March 9. Notably, Boon officiated the 2017 Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan, while Madugalle returns after overseeing the 2013 final between India and England. Umpiring panel Richard Kettleborough, veteran of 108 men's ODIs, leads the 12-member umpiring panel. The English official, who stood in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, is joined by five other returning officials from that tournament: Chris Gaffaney, Kumar Dharmasena, Richard Illingworth, Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker. Recent experience The panel includes several umpires with recent major tournament experience. Kettleborough and Illingworth, who officiated together in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, will be joined by Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Ahsan Raza, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Alex Wharf and Joel Wilson – all of whom stood in the World Cup in India. Venues of Champions Trophy 2025 The eight-team tournament will be played across four venues: Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, with additional matches in Dubai, UAE. The tournament structure necessitates neutral umpires for all matches, which would have limited Menon's participation to non-Indian fixtures had he been available. ICC's perspective Sean Easey, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, expressed confidence in the appointed panel: "This is a credentialled officiating team whose expertise will be valuable in this high-profile tournament. We are confident this group will do a fine job across the matches in Pakistan and the UAE."Original Article