R. Rithika Sri named Tamil Nadu’s first transgender cricket umpire after TNCA adds ‘Other’ gender option

R. Rithika Sri, a 31-year-old transwoman from Salem who has umpired in the Salem and Coimbatore circuit since 2021, has become the first transgender umpire in Tamil Nadu after the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association’s State Panel Umpire application for the recent exams allowed a person to select ‘Other’ in the gender category.

Born R. Muthuraj, R. Rithika Sri holds a diploma in Mechanical Engineering and was working at a call centre in Mohali when she says she caught the umpiring bug while watching the IPL; the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her return home and her decision to pursue umpiring. “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 The Hindu.

U. Jayaraman, who is also a psychometric assessor, said of Rithika: “She was a quick learner and rose through the ranks to become one of the best in our district.” Around the time she was progressing as an umpire, Rithika contemplated a gender transition and said Jayaraman and his wife supported her through that phase: “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.

Rithika underwent her transition in Coimbatore in 2024 and shifted to the Coimbatore District Cricket Association (CDCA) league last year. She recalls an early incident in Coimbatore when she was denied entry to a ground and subjected to hurtful comments: “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.

CDCA secretary R. Chandramouli and joint secretary K. Mahalingam arranged measures to prevent discrimination, including a meeting that informed grounds about Rithika and ensured her safety; Chandramouli said he even shifted matches away from a ground that 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.

Rithika said that since those measures were taken she has continued officiating in the CDCA league and has had predominantly respectful interactions on the field: “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.”

Rithika has set clear short-term goals for her umpiring career and for wider acceptance: “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. She is scheduled to sit the TNCA exam in June, with CDCA officials pledging support for her next steps.