Meet THIS Indian woman who created history in Test cricket, is now breaking barriers in umpiring

New Delhi: Vrinda Ghanshyam Rathi already created history when she became the first Indian woman umpire to officiate a Test match last year. Almost a year later, the Mumbaikar is all set to add another leaf to her hat when she steps out to officiate in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Dubai and Sharjah, starting on October 3.

Rathi is one among the 10 Elite Panel umpires named by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the mega event. The others in the list are Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Anna Harris, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan and Jacquiline Williams.

How did Rathi’s umpiring journey began?

Rathi’s journey began in 2014 when she cleared the umpires exam which was conducted by the Mumbai Cricket Association. She passed the BCCI’s examination for umpires four years later and has since then officiated in 13 women’s ODI and 43 women’s T20Is.

Rathi was promoted to the ICC Development Panel of Umpires in 2020. Two years later she officiated in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. In a significant milestone, Rathi along with Narayanan Janani wrote history when the duo became the first female umpires to officiate a men’s domestic fixture in a match between Goa and Pondicherry in 2023-24 Ranji Trophy.

2023 was a huge year for Rathi. She made her Women’s T20 World Cup debut in South Africa before going on to officiate in the inaugural Women’s Premier League. She also stood as an on-field umpire at the Asian Games at Hangzhou in China later that year. With her officiating in the women’s T20 World Cup next month, Rathi is proving to be a trailblazer in women’s umpiring and also serving as an inspiration for a lot of women’s in the country.