Akshay Totre, a 36-year-old umpire from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, made his international umpiring debut during the World Cup Warm-Up match between Pakistan and New Zealand on September 29, 2023. Totre has officiated in 22 matches in First-Class cricket, 30 in List A, and 41 in T20s. He also officiated in six matches in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Totre’s debut was widely noticed by fans on social media due to his uncanny resemblance to Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer. Several fans shared memes and jokes comparing the two, with some even suggesting that Iyer was moonlighting as an umpire.
Read Also- How to watch the ICC World Cup 2023
However, Totre is a well-respected umpire in the domestic circuit and has been on the ICC’s Emerging Umpire Panel since 2021. He is known for his calm and composed demeanor on the field, and his ability to make quick and accurate decisions.
Akshay Totre making his umpiring debut in the World Cup Warm Up matches. pic.twitter.com/A1d4gXDAhz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 29, 2023