The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association recently called out for applicants to appear for the State Panel Umpire exams. For the first time, the application form allowed a person to select ‘Other’ in the gender category, in addition to Male and Female. While it may look like a small change, it came thanks to the sheer grit and determination of a 31-year-old umpire from Coimbatore.

R. Rithika Sri is a transwoman from Salem who has been umpiring in the Salem and Coimbatore circuit since 2021 and has been instrumental in forcing this through.

Rithika is the first transgender umpire in Tamil Nadu. Born as R. Muthuraj, she is a diploma holder in Mechanical Engineering. The engineering dropout was working in Mohali at a call centre when she caught the umpiring bug while watching the IPL.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and forced her to return to her hometown, Rithika decided to try to become an umpire.

“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,” Rithika told Sportstar.

“She was a quick learner and rose through the ranks to become one of the best in our district,” said Jayaraman, who is also a psychometric assessor.

It was around this time that Rithika was contemplating a gender transition. “Jayaraman sir and his wife supported me through this phase. Then, he advised me to establish myself as an umpire for a few years before transitioning, so that my progress is not halted. They were worried I would face discrimination otherwise,” she added.

After deciding to undergo transition in Coimbatore in 2024, Rithika shifted to the CDCA league last year.

Speaking about the challenges, Rithika recalls being turned away from a cricket ground. “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. 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. Can’t a transperson become an umpire?” she asks.

It was then that CDCA secretary R. Chandramouli and joint secretary K. Mahalingam ensured no ground would discriminate against her.

“CDCA held a meeting and informed all the grounds about me and ensured my safety. Since then, I have officiated in over 15 matches from the first to sixth division in the CDCA league.

“I have never had an issue on the field. The players have been respectful. During the games, there is little scope to talk, and it is only about the game. Over time, once they get to know us, they might open up and become friendly.”

Chandramouli revealed he even shifted matches from one ground which would not allow her. “She is a bold woman, and the feedback from the players and other umpires has been good. She recently cleared the CDCA umpiring exam in February and the Viva last month. She will now give the TNCA exam in June, and we will support her,” said Chandramouli.

Looking ahead, Rithika says she wants to prove to society that a trans person can be successful in a variety of fields. “I don’t think society is ever going to change, but still, I want to achieve something and leave a mark. My focus is now to clear the TNCA exams and then eventually clear the BCCI exams as well,” said Rithika.

Published on Apr 28, 2026