Simon Taufel, a former cricket umpire, revealed that he asked veteran India batter Virender Sehwag to consider a career as an umpire. Taufel is considered one of the best umpires in the game, having won the ICC Umpire of the Year award five years in a row from 2004 to 2008. On and off the field, the Australian umpire had a good relationship with the cricketers.
After the T20 World Cup in 2012, Taufel stepped down from the ICC’s elite panel.
Simon Taufel on Virender Sehwag
On the cricket field, umpiring is still one of the most difficult and thankless jobs. And Simon Taufel, whose career spanned more than 13 years, had mastered the art and is regarded as one of the all-time great umpires.
Between 2004 and 2008, he received the ICC Umpire of the Year award five times in a row. Taufel revealed his conversation with an Indian cricket legend about taking up umpiring in the near future in a recent interview.
Simon Taufel said that he has spoken to a few players about the job, mentioning, in particular, his conversation with former India cricketer Virender Sehwag a few years ago. During India games, he remembered Sehwag standing next to him at square leg, calling on out and not out. This prompted Taufel to suggest to Sehwag that he take up umpiring, but the legendary Indian opener had declined the offer.
“I remember putting it on his head a few years ago and I’m challenging Virender to take it up because he is used to umpire next to me standing at square leg and telling me what was out what not was out. But he subsequently said no, that’s not what he wants to do,” Taufel said.
He went on to say that, in addition to Sehwag, India has two other players who have the potential to be great umpires.
“You have really got to have a personality and desire to want to do it. I’ve spoken to some players like Morne Morkel who’s been interested in taking up umpiring but as I said before, it’s not for everyone. I’d love to see Virender Sehwag, maybe even Virat Kohli or Ravichandran Ashwin take it up. They seem to be very well on top of the laws and playing conditions of the game at the moment,” Taufel added.
