Venkat's outstanding contribution to international umpiring recognised by ICC

Venkat receives his outstanding contribution Trophy © Getty Images

The outstanding contribution made to international umpiring by Srinivas Venkataraghavan has been recognised by the ICC, with the presentation of a unique bronze sculpture of the umpire answering an appeal with his distinctive bent-elbow gesture.

The presentation was made by ICC President Ehsan Mani at the conclusion of yesterday's sell-out ICC Champions Trophy game between India and Pakistan at Edgbaston.

"Venkat has been an outstanding performer as an international umpire and it is fitting that the ICC should mark his tremendous contribution to the game in this fashion," said Ehsan Mani.

Venkat receives his outstanding contribution Trophy © Getty Images

As a leading international umpire between 1992/93 and 2003/04 and an original member of the ICC Emirates Elite Panel of ICC umpires, Venkat stood in a total of 73 Test matches and 52 One Day Internationals.

During a lifetime in cricket he also acted as an ICC Match Referee between 1992/93 and 1993/94, covering 5 Tests and 8 One Day Internationals. As a player he was a member of India's famous spin quartet of the 1970s, playing 57 Test matches and claiming 156 wickets with his off spin.

Venkat holds the distinction of being the only international cricketer to have both played and umpired in more than 50 Test matches.