Former India captain Srinivas Venkataraghavan will call it a day as an elite umpire next month after a 11-year stint, the International Cricket Council announced on Thursday.
An ICC statement issued in London said Venkataraghavan, one of the most decorated umpires in the game, will officiate in his last match -- the second test between Australia and Sri Lanka starting in Kandy on March 16.
Venkataraghavan, 58, made his debut as an international umpire during England's series of India in 1992-93 and has stood in 75 tests and 52 one-day internationals.
Paying tribute to Venkataraghavan, ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said, "He has stood the test of time in an exceptionally demanding career."
"Venkat came to umpiring after a terrific career as a player, administrator and media commentator," Speed said. "He has seen international cricket undergo extraordinary change and has stood up to the scrutiny that now comes with being involved in the game at the elite level."
Describing Venkatraghavan as one of the most outstanding umpires to have stood in international cricket, Speed said, "His integrity and passion for cricket are of the highest order and he has helped ensure that the spirit of the game remains in tact for those that will follow."
"As he moves into the next stage of his career, he will be able to reflect on his time as an international umpire with great pride and know that he is respected around the world for his contribution to the game," the ICC chief executive said.
Venkataraghavan has played 57 Tests and 15 ODIs between 1965 and 1983.
ICC said Venkat may be able to move back to the secondary international panel of umpires if the Board of Control for Cricket in India nominates him as one of the two umpires it provides to this group.
If selected he could be appointed by the BCCI to future ODI matches, it said. "Venkat is yet to confirm if he wishes to make himself available for this panel," it added.
Before becoming an international umpire, Venkat, who made his debut as a player at the age of 19 against New Zealand in 1964-65 and played his last Test at the age of 38 against Pakistan in 1983-84, was one of the leading figures of the golden era of Indian spin bowling along with B S Chandrashekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Bishen Singh Bedi.
Venkat has also been the manager of the Indian cricket team, a national selector, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association secretary, newspaper and magazine columnist, expert TV commentator as also an international match referee in both Tests and ODIs.
