In cricket officiating, calls are typically clear-cut, out or not out. For R. Rithika Sri, however, reaching the umpire’s position meant negotiating a far more complicated gray zone of social acceptance. At 31, Rithika has emerged as Tamil Nadu’s first transgender umpire, transforming her personal transition into a driving force for structural change within the sport.
What began as a bug caught while watching the IPL in Mohali has evolved into a career of over 300 matches and a historic victory: the inclusion of a 'Third Gender' category on the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association umpire application forms.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 31 |
| Hometown | Salem, Tamil Nadu |
| Education | Diploma in Mechanical Engineering |
| Experience | 300+ matches (Salem, Coimbatore, Namakkal) |
| Key Milestone | First transwoman to apply for TNCA State Panel |
| Current Goal | Clearing the June TNCA exams & eventually BCCI exams |
Rithika’s journey didn't start on a pitch. Born as Muthuraj, she was working at a call centre in Mohali when the precision of IPL umpires captured her imagination. When the 2020 pandemic forced a return to Salem, she sought out the District Cricket Association.
Under the mentorship of senior umpires like R. Parthasarathy and V. Santhi Booshan, she proved herself a quick learner. However, the transition was never just about the laws of the game. Her mentors advised her to establish her professional reputation first to minimize the risk of discrimination. By the time she moved to Coimbatore in 2024 for her gender transition, she had a formidable record of officiating to back her up.
The road wasn't paved with roses. Last September, a security guard at a premier institution in Coimbatore tried to chase her away from a ground where she was scheduled to umpire.
“I couldn’t control my emotions that morning. It was a big moment for me, to start a dignified life rather than go around for collections... I asked a few stern questions, why can’t a transgender live a normal life and be treated equally?Rithika Sri
The incident prompted the Coimbatore District Cricket Association (CDCA) to act. They held gender-sensitivity sessions with club owners and players, ensuring that Rithika would be treated with the same respect as any other official. Today, players address her as "Ma'am," and she has earned their trust through the most the most unbiased method possible: making the right calls in the middle.
Rithika’s impact has now reached the state level. When she applied for the TNCA State Panel exams, she found a form that only recognized "Male" and "Female." After she raised the issue, the TNCA updated their documentation to include "Other."
This move makes the TNCA a pioneer in Indian cricket, recognizing the third gender without even a mandate from the BCCI.
Record: Rithika stood in over 300 matches in Salem and Namakkal while still living as a man, building the technical foundation that protected her career post-transition.
"Other" box: The TNCA application form change is the first instance of its kind in the association’s history.
Support system: CDCA secretary R. Chandramouli has even moved matches from venues that refused to accommodate her, proving that administrative allyship is to inclusion.
BCCI aspirations: While there is currently no formal BCCI policy for transgender officials, Rithika aims to clear their exams next.
Rithika Sri demonstrates that skill knows no gender. By rejecting a life on the sidelines and striving for a dignified livelihood, she is transforming the landscape of cricket in Tamil Nadu. As she gets ready for her exams in June, she is not only standing for herself; she is also bearing the aspirations of a community that has been excluded from professional arenas for far too long.