For the first time, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) felicitated 266 umpires, which included international, BCCI and MCA panel umpires. Sharad Pawar honoured them with personalised umpire kits. This special initiative and gesture was the brainchild of Suraj Samat (President, S.K.P Athletics Club and sub-committee member of MCA). Speaking on the occasion, he said, “The umpires in cricket are as important as the players, without which the game would not be possible.”