India’s Janani Narayanan & Vrinda Rathi latest to find places in ICC panel

Janani Narayanan and Vrinda Rathi from India became the new entrants in the International Panel of ICC Development Umpires on Tuesday (March 18) taking up the women’s officials’ tally to 12. The announcement comes soon after the launch of 100% Cricket -- a one-year campaign anticipated to build on the momentum of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.

The campaign, launched just before the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 8 aims to create more excitement around the women’s game ahead of the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

The 34-year-old Narayanan has been umpiring in the domestic tournaments since 2018 and idolises Late David Shepherd of England and retired India umpire Srinivas Venkatraghavan. “It feels great to know that Vrinda and I have been inducted into the ICC's development panel,” Narayanan said.

“This gives me the chance to learn from seniors on the circuit and improve in the years to come. Cricket has become part of my daily routine since the '90s and I look forward to be associated with the sport at a higher level.”

“I take this opportunity to thank the BCCI for the opportunities given and the ICC for giving me this break. I would like to thank Mr Radhakrishnan, who has been my mentor since I first started umpiring. I would also like to thank my parents who never stopped me from watching cricket on TV, my senior umpires Sai Darshan, Ashwin Kumar and all my state panel umpires, national panel umpires and referees who have helped me learn and grow,” she added.

Rathi, 31, a former varsity player who has kept scores in international matches, has also been umpiring alongside  Narayanan since 2018. She was inspired to take up umpiring after watching retired woman umpire Kathy Cross of New Zealand at the Women’s World Cup 2013 and feels umpiring is a natural progression for her.

“I feel privileged to be named in ICC’s development panel as this opens new avenues for me. I am sure I will get to learn a lot from other members of the panel and look forward to future assignments,” Rathi said. “Having played cricket and also officiated as a scorer, this was a natural progression for me and I am happy at the way things have unfolded.

“I am thankful to the BCCI for backing me over the years and to the ICC for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my family, colleagues and mentors for all the help and support over the years,” she added.

The other ICC women match officials are: GS Lakshmi, Shandre Fritz (International Panel Match Referees); Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Shivani Mishra, Claire Polosak, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Mary Waldron, Jacquline Williams (all International Panel of ICC Development Umpires).