Historic first for Indian cricket- 3 women umpires to officiate a Ranji Trophy match
For the first time, a women umpire trio will have the final say in senior men's cricket in India.
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Dec 6, 2022 2:55 pm
Ranji Trophy Women Umpire (Image source: Twitter)
In what could be considered a new era for Indian Cricket, it is for the first time that three women umpires will officiate a Ranji cricket match. According to the reports, three candidates namely Janai Narayan, Gayathri Venugopalan, and Vrindha Rathi have been chosen by the Indian Cricket Board to officiate the Ranji match in the second round onwards.
“Going ahead, women umpires will be getting to do Ranji Trophy games. This is just a start. The Indian Cricket Board has decided to give them the opportunity in the men’s game, too,” an Indian Cricket Board official told The Indian Express.
From the reports, it can be further understood that Janani Narayan and Vrindha Rathi have some form of umpiring experience already under their belt as the duo has taken part in under-23 CK Nayadu Trophy matches earlier.
The trio of women officials have written their names into the history books after becoming the first women umpires to officiate a senior men’s tournament. Speaking of the three umpires, Venugopalan and Rathi hail from Delhi and Mumbai whereas Narayanan is from Tamil Nadu.
Venugopalan had hoped for a cricket career but a shoulder injury side-tracked her dream and she had to get into a corporate career. In 2019 however, she cleared the Indian Cricket Board umpire exam and was enrolled as one later.
Narayanan had a similar journey in which she quit her IT job and cleared Indian Cricket Board’s Level 2 umpiring exam and officially became an umpire. Now fully recognised by the Indian Cricket Board, the three will have a final say in the men’s cricket match in what is one of the biggest leaps for Indian cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav and Ajinkya Rahane to feature in Ranji Trophy second round
The second stage of the Ranji Trophy is slated to begin on December 13th. Ajinkya Rahane has returned to the foray and will lead the Mumbai team in the second round. Meanwhile star India batter Suryakumar Yadav will also feature for Mumbai’s home game against Hyderabad at Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Bandra- Kurla complex on 20th December.
