Hyderabad: Suresh Shastri will become the first Indian umpire to stand in 100 first-class games when Hyderabad takes on Kerala in the Ranji Trophy Group C match starting here from Monday.
Coincidentally, it was at Secunderabad, Hyderabad`s twin city, where Shastri made his umpiring debut in 1990-91, in a Ranji Trophy game between Hyderabad and Kerala. He has stood in two Tests, 19 ODIs, and one T20 International, and has also been the TV umpire in several international matches.
The 58-year-old was part of the ICC Umpires Panel from 2006 to 2009. In 2008-09, he was one of two Indian umpires who visited South Africa as part of the Umpire Exchange Programme between the BCCI and CSA, and officiated in two first-class matches there.
A quality left-arm spinner and right-handed batsman, Shastri represented Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy, and played 53 first-class matches in all, from 1972-73 to 1986-87. He took 155 wickets and scored 968 runs.
