An innings with Sumathi Iyer, India’s first woman umpire

So, what’s my story?
What started as a childhood game with my brothers, became an integral part of my life. eat, drink, breathe and dream cricket. It goes back to the ‘70s when women’s cricket was just beginning to raise its head and my father did not approve of me going out to play in pants! I was a tomboy and preferred cricket to anything else — both at school and college.

We were the pioneers, Shantha Rangaswamy, Diana Eduljee, Sudha Shah and Fowziah Khalilee. We represented Madras University and won the National championship in the ‘70s. Shantha was a tremendous captain and could steer a thrilling victory from a virtual defeat by her motivation and game strategies. It did not take long for recognition to come and soon many players were recruited by the Railways and Air India. I joined Canara Bank under their sports quota and am still there.

Women’s cricket — then and now
Cricket is a man’s game but that’s not to say that women shouldn’t play it. Today’s scenario is much better and the girls should be able to play good cricket. During our time, we had to make arrangements for the bat and ball ourselves and as if that wasn’t enough, we often paid for our tickets for the various matches.

Becoming an Umpire
It was on the suggestion of P K Dharmalingam (a former Ranji player) that I decided to appear for the umpire’s examination in 1976-77 along with other men. I passed it with flying colours and the first match that I officiated was in 1980. Since then I have been umpiring and it certainly has been a very long innings.

Standing out there on the field all day long and watching the movements of the ball hawk-like is no mean task. My love for the game drives me to the field at the slightest chance. The remuneration is only Rs 150 and many times I have even officiated matches for free.
Nothing can eclipse those rare moments like the time a senior BCCI official from a Patiala men’s team, remarked, “Madame aapne bahut badiya kiya.” I was completely bowled over.

Juggling many roles!
Being a mother of two school going children, a banker, a daughter-in-law, a wife and an umpire has been a roller coaster ride but the high I get out of it keeps me going. Undoubtedly my family — my husband and my in-laws have been my props.
Is it time to quit?

No. Not yet, I am waiting for a chance to officiate an international match.

Source Book
C R Vijayaraghavan, a former test player, has officiated with Sumathi Iyer and has this to say of her, “She is well-versed with the rules of the game and is the first woman to have passed the umpire’s examination.”

Details of the examination:
Every state cricket association conducts the examination and is recognised by all the other states.

It is common for both men and women. The exam consists of two parts. Part A is objective and pertains to the field. Part B is subjective and deals with the rules of the game.

This is followed by a tough interview on various aspects of the game of cricket. After clearing these three different parts of the exam, one is eligible to officiate all classes of cricket matches as an umpire.

Sumathi appeared for the examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Asssociation in Chennai in 1976-77.

Sumathi Iyer spoke to Mythily Ramachandran

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