The post of the ICC Match Referee was instituted in the early 1990s in an attempt to clamp down on undue aggression and deteriorating behaviour on the field of play. The ICC followed it up with another move to reduce allegations of partisan umpiring. In 1994-95, they initiated the idea of a 'neutral' (third-country) umpire partnering a 'home' umpire in Test matches. Another significant step was taken in 2002 when the ICC decided to have two 'neutral umpires in all Tests and a home-neutral pair in ODIs.

Former India captain Gundappa Vishwanath, who had a long stint as ICC Match Referee, recently stated that few Indians had got the opportunity to serve as Match Referees or Umpires on ICC's Elite Panel, when compared to the other prominent cricketing nations.
 

The following table lists the Indians who have got an opportunity: