Daniel Manohar ready for a bigger role in ICC

Daniel Manohar officiating in the abandoned IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala on May 8, following air raids in the neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot, was the “most memorable experience”

Hyderabad: For 51-year-old Daniel Manohar, former Hyderabad Ranji opener and now BCCI Match Referee, officiating in the abandoned IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals (after 10.1 overs) at Dharamsala on May 8, following air raids in the neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot, was the “most memorable experience.”

“I was given a hint before the start of the match about any such possibility. Hats off to the way the BCCI and the HPCA officials handled the whole thing without any issues,” Daniel recalls the experience in a chat with Telangana Today.

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“It was unbelievably smooth and systematic. First, one tower light was switched off, and soon the spectators were quietly evacuated from the stadium without giving any hint about the threat hovering around,” he said.

“The players and officials too were trooped into the Long Room, and private buses were arranged to Jalandhar. From there, by a special Vande Bharat train, all the players and officials related to the conduct of the match were moved to Delhi,” Daniel revealed.

“Yes, as the match referee, I had to keep very calm with the on-field umpires, who had no inkling of what was happening then. Choice of words, avoiding the word ‘panic’, was obviously very critical,” he said. “Honestly, I am confident about any bigger role in the ICC now,” he added.

“The best part of that episode was the way the players and all the officials connected to the match never made an issue of anything. Hats off to everyone for cooperating in such a great manner,” Daniel said.

Interestingly, for someone who treated Javagal Srinath & Company of Karnataka with contempt on his way to a brilliant century in his Ranji debut in 1997 at Gymkhana Ground here, Daniel looks to the great fast bowler, now an acknowledged ICC Match Referee, for clearing any doubts or to gain knowledge about his job.

“I learn so much from him, not just about my job but also a lot from his cricketing experience. The beauty is, he is more than willing to help. A wonderful gentleman,” Daniel said.

“Generally, the job of a match referee becomes much easier if you are a former cricketer, the teams have good captains, and also if you have good communication skills,” said the Hyderabadi, with 14 years of experience as a match referee (including four IPL seasons).