Indian umpires are not upto world standards and it is a challenge for the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to improve on their performance, a top ICC official said on Wednesday.
Dave Richardson, former South African cricketer and ICC General Manager of Cricket Operations, said if no Indian features in the ICC Elite Umpires panel it is not because of any flaw in the appointment process.
"We do it (appointment) as professionally as we can. Who ever does well is going to move forward. And if you are not upto the mark and there are other international umpires who are better, then you will be left out," Richardson said.
"It is a challenge for the BCCI to see that Indian umpires make it to the Elite Panel."
Richardson, in Delhi for the launch of the LG ICC Players Rankings website, said the proposal to trial referring appeals to the third umpire had mixed response.
"I should say the reaction has been pretty mixed. It is split 50-50 among the players, umpires, officials and even the media," he said.
"Mark Benson (ICC umpire from England) felt that he would be better off getting decisions verified by the third umpire and be not crucified later.
"There are others who feel they are better qualified to make the decisions on their own.
ICC's Cricket Committee recently recommended that players be allowed to appeal thrice in an innings to the third umpire on trial basis in the forthcoming Champions Trophy later this year and the World Cup next year.
The recommendations will be considered at an ICC Chief Executives' meeting in London in July.
Richardson said the ICC did not share West Indian Steve Bucknor's comment that television crew doctored match pictures to put umpires in bad light.
"Umpire are normally defensive. They have an exceptionally difficult job to do. They get hit by media when they get it wrong, and seldom get praise.
"Bucknor said what he had to say but the ICC doesn't share his views. There is no evidence for his claims."
On how the ICC viewed the prickly situation with regard to Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje refusing to visit India fearing arrest in the match-fixing case by the Delhi Police, Richardson said the ICC has little role to play in it.
"What we can do is facilitate. The problem is of the two individual players' and the South African cricket board's," he said.
"I am sure they have their lawyers advising them on this issue.
