A 31-year-old woman from Coimbatore is doing something no transwoman in India has done before. Rithika Sri is now officiating cricket matches across Salem, Namakkal, and Coimbatore districts, becoming the country’s first transwoman cricket umpire. Her story is not one of overnight success. It is one of repeated rejection, quiet persistence, and a support system that arrived at the right time.
She currently handles league fixtures and matches organised by groups such as Rotary Club and BNI in Coimbatore. On the field, she is known for calm and firm decision-making.
From BPO Worker to Cricket Umpire
Rithika’s journey in cricket began in 2019 in Mohali, Punjab, as an employee of a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) company under the name Muthuraj. She took an interest in umpiring while watching IPL matches on TV. She then moved back to her hometown, Salem, to explore that interest.
There, she was mentored by a district umpiring official, Jayaraman, to prepare for umpiring exams. After two years of training, Jayaraman’s wife pointed out Rithika’s gender identity, a revelation that sparked an emotional conversation. Rithika had been living her life in secret until now, believing it would jeopardise her budding career.
Jayaraman responded with acceptance. He encouraged her to first build her qualifications and confidence before transitioning. That advice, and the backing behind it, gave her the footing she needed.
Stopped at the Gate on Debut Day
Her debut as a transwoman umpire in 2024 did not go smoothly. At a ground in Coimbatore, security personnel blocked her entry. She had official credentials, but that made no difference at the gate. She was turned away.
The Indian Express reported that she stood her ground, told the security guard she was there to umpire, and pushed back. She was eventually allowed in — nearly 45 minutes late.
What could have ended her career in its first hour instead hardened her resolve. The Coimbatore Cricket Association stood by her following the incident, ensuring she was treated with respect on the field going forward. Senior umpires and administrators offered support. Players began addressing her as “ma’am.”
“Cricketers call me ‘ma’am’. I am happy and grateful,” Rithika said.
What Rithika Is Working Toward
Rithika holds a diploma in mechanical engineering. She was raised by a single mother alongside six siblings in difficult circumstances. Cricket umpiring, for her, is not just a profession; it is the space where she has found both identity and acceptance.
Her goals are clear. She wants to officiate at the state level, earn recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and eventually stand in IPL and international matches.
The road to those stages is long. But Rithika has already covered ground that no transwoman in Indian cricket had covered before. Each match she officiates extends that boundary a little further.
Her story sits at the intersection of sport, identity, and inclusion — and it is only getting started.
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