In what has come as a breakthrough in Indian cricket, Rithika Sri from Tamil Nadu has become the first transgender cricket umpire, signalling a massive turnaround in gender roles and concepts in the country.
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association invited applications for its State Panel Umpire exams, introducing a notable change in the process. For the first time, candidates could select ‘Other’ in the gender category alongside Male and Female, a small but significant step made possible by the determination of Sri.
Sri, a transwoman from Salem, has been officiating in the Salem and Coimbatore circuit since 2021 and played a key role in bringing about this change.
Sri is the first transgender umpire in Tamil Nadu. Born as R. Muthuraj, she holds a diploma
in Mechanical Engineering. She was working at a call centre in Mohali when she developed an interest in umpiring while watching the Indian Premier League.
“I contacted the Salem District Cricket Association through social media. U. Jayaraman, the umpire committee chairman, played a key role in guiding me. I also have to credit two senior umpires, R. Parthasarathy and V. Santhi Booshan, for teaching me everything about umpiring,” Sri said while speaking to The Hindu.
“Jayaraman sir and his wife supported me through this phase (transformation). Then, he advised me to establish myself as an umpire for a few years before transitioning, so that my progress isn’t halted,” Sri added.
After deciding to undergo her transition in Coimbatore in 2024, Sri moved to officiate in the CDCA league the following year.
“The first time in Coimbatore, I went to watch because they wanted me to get familiar with the new district, but I was denied entry and there were hurtful comments,” Sri said.
“I went back home crying after an hour, but not before fighting back against them. People often accuse trans people of begging, but then, at the same time, they don’t allow us to pursue a dignified livelihood,” Sri added.
