MUMBAI: In an interesting development, Nikhil Patil junior, who played nine first-class matches and one T20 for Mumbai between 2013-15, has retired at the age of 33 to become a professional umpire. In fact, the Mumbaikar is now eligible to stand in first-class matches- he recently topped the level 2 exams conducted by the BCCI for domestic umpires. Being a former first-class cricketer, Patil didn't need to appear for level 1 exams.
In his first-class career, Patil, who last played a first-class game for Mumbai against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium in December 2015, scored 457 runs@41.54, with one hundred and three fifties.
"I retired in January just to be eligible for the level 2 exams for the umpires conducted by the Board. Just a week before that, I had registered myself as a player with the BCCI. However, a week later, the BCCI came up with the dates of the umpires' exam, so I had to give my official retirement letter to the Board," Patil told TOI.
"My aim was always to top the umpiring exam, and not just clearing it, and I was preparing accordingly.
This is because I didn't know how many candidates would clear the exam, but the one who stood first would be 'cleared' for sure. I am happy that I have come through and really excited for my upcoming journey," he stressed.
Explaining what drew him to umpiring, Patil said, "My interest in umpiring developed automatically from the time I was a player. It was very similar to how I started playing cricket-I started liking umpiring. I used to stand in practice matches and during the nets. Later on, I thought of taking up umpiring as a profession, not only because I liked it, but also because it kind of suits my personality."
"I have been on the Mumbai Cricket Association's panel of umpires since 2017," he said. "I have umpired in the Times Shield 'A' Division, other 'A' Division inter-club tournaments, Inter-college and inter-school competitions," he said.
Patil played for Parsee Gymkhana and Tata Sports Club (he is employed by Tata Power) in local cricket.
