The ICC has released the lineup of match officials for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand which is slated to be played on March 9 at the Dubai International cricket stadium. Paul Reiffel and Richard Illingworth will officiate as the on-field umpires, ensuring fair play and adherence to the rules. Joel Wilson will assume the crucial role of TV umpire, providing critical decisions through video replays. Kumar Dharmasena will serve as the fourth umpire, assisting with administrative duties and on-field support. Ranjan Madugalle will oversee the entire match as the match referee, ensuring the smooth conduct of the contest.
For Indian cricket fans, the selection of Richard Illingworth brings a mix of emotions. He was one of the on-field umpires during India's heartbreaking loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
However, he was also present during India's victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where India won their first ICC trophy in 11 years. Furthermore, Illingworth recently officiated the group stage match between India and New Zealand in Dubai, which India won by 44 runs. He was also an on-field umpire for India's semifinal match against Australia.
Australian umpire Paul Reiffel's recent assignment was the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy, where he officiated the match between New Zealand and South Africa. That contest saw New Zealand emerge victorious by 50 runs, a result largely attributed to outstanding centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson.
Richard Illingworth, a highly respected official, brings extensive experience to the final. He is a four-time ICC Umpire of the Year and is on the verge of reaching a significant milestone, with the Champions Trophy final marking his 99th ODI as an on-field umpire in his 15-year career. His umpiring partner, Paul Reiffel, also boasts substantial experience, having officiated 95 ODI matches since his umpiring debut in 2009.
India enters the Champions Trophy final as favourites being the only unbeaten team in the tournament. India's confidence will be bolstered by their previous win over New Zealand in the group stage. That match saw Varun Chakravarthy deliver a stellar five-wicket performance, supported by crucial batting contributions from Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel. However, New Zealand can draw encouragement from the strong batting form of their top order. Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and Tom Latham have all proved their prowess.