Ex-umpire Sudhir Asnani set for Sri Lanka tour as India team manager

Sudhir Asnani

Former international umpire Sudhir Asnani has been appointed as the Indian team manager for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, beginning July 13.

Asnani, 60, who officiated in 23 ODIs, seven T20Is and one women's ODI between 1998 and 2013, was informed about his appointment only at 11 pm on Sunday, a day prior to his departure to Mumbai, where the team are undergoing 14-day quarantine.

Two Indian teams will participate in different countries - Virat Kohli's team are in England for the World Test Championship final followed by the Test series v England, while the Shikhar Dhawan-led side will play three ODIs and as many T20Is in Sri Lanka next month.

"It is a proud moment for me. I am delighted to be closer to the action again. This time, I will be watching from the boundary line. I will give my best as the team manager," said Asnani, whose last international outing as an umpire was the India v England ODI at Dharamsala in 2013.

Asnani did not just have to rush with his packing for the Lanka trip but also had to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test for Covid-19 before boarding his flight from Indore to Mumbai on Monday.

"I somehow managed to complete everything on time. It was a real rush for me. I wasn't expecting this appointment to come my way at all. I am really excited," added Asnani. Rahul Dravid will be the coach of the Indian team in Sri Lanka.

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