Former Saurashtra cricketer
Bhatt’s elevation to the Test arena follows his inclusion in the International Cricket Council’s newly established three-member Emerging panel of international match referees, a selection confirmed earlier this year. While the ICC maintains an Elite panel consisting of five referees—Srinath, Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson, Ranjan Madugalle, and Jeff Crowe—the creation of the Emerging panel has paved the way for officials like Bhatt to take on responsibilities in international fixtures, including Test matches.
A Wealth of Experience in Domestic and International Cricket
The 56-year-old brings extensive experience to his new role, having served as a BCCI match referee in domestic cricket since the 2007-2008 season. His transition to the international stage has been steady, having been part of the ICC’s officiating setup since 2024. Beyond his domestic duties, Bhatt has been a regular fixture in the Indian Premier League, where he has officiated in 75 matches since 2018.
His international resume is equally robust, encompassing 48 T20 Internationals, six ODIs, and a selection of women’s international fixtures, including four T20Is and three ODIs. Earlier this year, he demonstrated his capabilities on the global stage by officiating in 13 matches during the Under-19 ODI World Cup held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. His experience also includes high-profile assignments such as the T20I series between Australia and New Zealand in October of last year. Before moving into officiating, Bhatt enjoyed a professional playing career between 1994 and 2005, during which he appeared in 51 first-class matches, scoring 3,183 runs at an average of 39.29, including seven centuries.
